Exploring Pigeon Valley: The Large Yellow Wild Hibiscus
The riches of Pigeon Valley Nature Reserve explained by Glenwood resident and chair of the Friends of Pigeon Valley.
This is the 61st article in an ongoing series that highlights the riches of Pigeon Valley, the urban nature reserve in the heart of Glenwood. The focus of this article will be on the Large Yellow Wild Hibiscus.
Sometimes on our walks through Pigeon Valley someone will complain about a rough and scratchy plant that scrapes the skin, part of the thickets that cover the warm north-facing slopes.
At another time, though, the thickets are punctuated with splashes of yellow flowers, with deep maroon-red hearts, on the same stems. This is the Large Yellow Wild Hibiscus, or Hibiscus calyphyllus.
Nature doesn’t serve up everything as smoothly and easily as we would like.
Wild places are not like cultivated gardens. Birds hide from us, flowers fade too soon, alien plants invade. Yet giving it time and attention brings satisfaction and sudden glimpses of great beauty.
ALSO READ: Exploring Pigeon Valley: The Mantids
As quiet has descended on the suburbs, I hear from Pigeon Valley more muted calls. It is not that the birds are not there – they are adjusting to the sudden quiet of the lockdown.
Research has shown that birds in urban areas sing louder, no doubt because of the surrounding noise. One senses the response of wildlife to the unexpected silence.
Crispin Hemson chairs the Friends of Pigeon Valley, a group that undertakes clearing of alien plants, keeps records of bird and mammal sightings and alerts management to any problems.
The Friends have a monthly walk at 7.30am on the second Saturday of each month. Email: friendsofpigeonvalley1@gmail.com.
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