If you are walking alongside one of many many tracks in our bushland reserves between October and December you may likelihood across a Kunzea ambigua (White Kunzea or Tick Bush).
This bush is fairly widespread, notably in open scrubby woodland and heath with sandy soils. Hidden in the Hills Kunzeas is likely certainly one of the first to regrow after its habitat has been disturbed by clearing.
In ideal circumstances, this bush which may grow as much as 3 metres tall, and in season, can be covered with a prolific crop of delicate white flowers with very lengthy stamens which conceal the petals.
Kunzea Native Flower: A Symphony of Colors and Scents
Native FlowersThese flowers provide a welcome source of nectar for all kinds of insects as well as small nectar feeding and insectivorous birds.
When taking the time to look into the bush it's attainable to observe a number of the insects that favor to reside in its neighborhood.
This specific species is typically used in gardens, especially those that includes a selection of native plants. When saved compact by pruning it presents nicely as a seasonal specimen plant.
The identify “Tick Bush” apparently comes from folks observing that some native animals like to lay under the bush. It was thought that the fragrant oil content of the foliage could deter ticks and mites.
Growing in an analogous habitat is the much less common Kunzea capitata (Pink Kunzea). This smaller variety could develop to around 1.5 metres high, and will be in flower typically from September to October.
Native FlowersThe deep pink flowers have small white pin head dimension globular dots on the ends of the stamens. Several flowers are clustered collectively towards the ends of branches which have a particular reddish-brown colouration.
This shrub is often more compact than its relative. It too may be grown as an ornamental specimen in a home native garden.