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ROMA FLATS / LOCKERBIE SCRUB WALK

Allow 1 to 2 hours Take only photographs and leave only footprints

l. Thorny Yellow-wood (Xanthoxylum s a.) The Aboriginal name is Upiri which translates to "medicine". This tree is credited with interesting properties especially with regard to affairs of the heart and is prepared in various ways to facilitate romance. These customs are kept secret.

2. Scrub Vitex. (Vitexacuminata). The language name is Halgoon. It produces large numbers of edible black fruit in summer. Torres Strait Pigeons enjoy these cherry sized fruit too, as do several other types of wildlife. The fluted trunk is very characteristic.

3. Lilly-Pilly (Svsvaium fibrosum). The common name really applies to southern representatives of the Sysygium group. The fruit looks like a small (1.5 cm) apple and has a tangy taste. It is commonly eaten by the locals in summer time.

4. Blush Touriga, Hickory Maple (Calophyllum sa.) This tree is closely related to the Alexandrian Laurel (Calophyllum inophyllum) of beach fronts. Both timbers are magnificent furniture timbers and have been a target of timber getters throughout the Pacific. These trees are protected on Injinoo land.

Black Penda. (Xanthostemon SM.) These are hard construction timbers. Their use in aboriginal life is not known.

6. Fish-tail Palm (Caryota rumphiana) One of 57 palms native to Australia. This is the only species (in this genus) occurring in Australia and is restricted to monsoon forest north of the McIlwraith Range. Cassowaries like eating the seeds of this palm even though the seed flesh can produce an intense burning sensation if handled. Note: Cassowaries have not been seen in this area since the 1960's.

7. Bolly-gum, Butternut. 01 . The timber of this tree is medium-soft and it is a fast grower with potential as a plantation tree. Timber was used for making Pearl shell packing crates earlier this century.

8. Bush Wongai. This is an aboriginal fruit tree. Its scientific name is not certain at this time.

9. Black Fruit. (Buchanania arbourescens) Loongnyoong. This has a very tasty fruit in late dry season and is also a favoured food of the magnificent fruit pigeons of this area. These fruits are eaten by the handful by the local people.

10. White Fruit. (Svsvaium forte) Omothin. The timber is known as satin ash and the fruit is edible. There are at least 3 "white fruits" recognised by local people which are of different sizes and tastes.

THE LARGE WHITE TREE 15m BEYOND MARKER 11.

11. Cotton Tree (Bombax ceiba) Wapada. This tree produces a kapok laden pod. The trunk itself was used for making canoes as it is relatively soft and durable in saltwater.

THE LARGE MOUND OF STICKS AND LEAVES 20m BEYOND MARKER DO NOT APPROACH THE NEST PLEASE

12. Scrub-fowl Nest (Megapodius reinwardy) Abadi. Both the bird and its eggs were eaten by Aborigines and explorers. These birds build a large mound of earth and leaf litter which incubates oversize eggs of the female. The female in this case does not tend the next and young can fly within hours of hatching. Please do not go near the nest as this may attract predators.

13. Matchbox Bean (Entada nhaseoloides) Kulap. Kulap is an island language name which has gained common use on the mainland. The dancing rattles made from this bean are called Kulap. The bean was treated and eaten by Aborigines. The name Matchbox-bean comes from colonial days when the beans were cut, fitted with a hinge and decorated as matchboxes.

14. Palm Lily. (Cordyline sa.l This plant has an edible root and several species have already been introduced into commercial nurseries.

15. Red Sysygium. (,Svsy,gium bun0adinia) Kudi. This is an unusual red paperbarked satin ash. It is a striking feature of the red laterites (soils) of the Lockerbie Scrub.

16. Strangler Fig. I icus sp.l The tree develops from seeds dropped by birds in forks or crevices of the host tree. The fig sends down droppers which take root in the soil. Fig branches grow up into the canopy as stems and roots cut off the vital supplies to the host. Eventually the host dies and the fig stands by itself.

17. This is one of the "white-fruits" showing epihytic growth on its higher branches. Bird's Nest ferns, orchids and ant plants enjoy exposure to sunlight by growing on the branches of a tall cousin. This does not normally affect the tree except if growth is heavy when the weight of water soaked plants can break branches.

18. Pandanus (Pandanus sn.) Kupthree. One of the several species of native Pandanus. Leaves are used for making mats, sails, bags etc and fruit is variously treated to eat.

19. Solitaire Palm (Gulubia costata). This is a solitary palm that enjoys plenty of water and is very sensitive to cold. It is confined to north-eastern Cape York and in this area indicates springs or creeks.

20. Quandong. (Elaeocar puS S,p.1 This tree is fairly widespread in Queensland and is well known as an Aboriginal food. The round patterned seeds where used by settlers as pieces in the game Chinese chequers.

21. Jam Fruit. (Terminalia sp.) Guguba. The Terminalias are widely recognised fruit trees by aboriginal people, some yielding 50 times more vitamin C than oranges.

22. Fig Tree. (,Ficus sa.) This is a cauliflourous fig. This means that the fruit are carried on the trunk. Figs also have flowers inside the fruit which is unusual. They are not widely eaten although they are edible.

23. Leichardt Tree. (Nauclea sn.) This tree has a large leaf (30 cm) and a round fruit that looks like a pom-pom.

The return track is roughly parallel with the inbound track but higher up the hill. Follow the pink and yellow flagging tapes. If you happen to get lost head west or down hill to the creek or road.