Bleeding Heart
Homalanthus nutans (syn: Omalanthus populifolius)
These fast growing pioneer trees are the first step in regenerating the rainforest. Their hard shelled seed lays dormant in the soil and only germinates when strong sunlight reaches them after the canopy is broken by a tree fall. The bleeding heart provides quick shade, creating good conditions for slower growing rainforest plants. They can grow up to several metres a year and might even fruit within 2-3 years. Their large green leaves turn a rich red just before they fall, hence the name bleeding heart. Look out for bleeding heart trees along the track where big trees have fallen over.
(Illustration by Maggie Taylor)
More precious plants . . .
Black apple - Bleeding heart - Blue quandong - Carronia vine - Cunjevoi
Native ginger - Red cedar - Red lilly-pilly - Roseleaf raspberry
