Brush Turpentine

Backhousia (formerly Choricarpia) leptopetala (Brush Turpentine)

Backhousia leptopetala (Brush Turpentine) is not found anywhere else in the Illawarra.

In Stanwell Park, it is confined to the area between the CWA Hall and the tennis courts and up Stanwell Creek, along the western end of Stanwell Avenue and Lower Coast Road, opposite the shops in Lawrence Hargrave Drive and along the edge of the Reserve close to the Surf Club.

It is commonly found north of Sydney to Buderim in Queensland.

Stanwell Park is a cross-over point between the trees of Sydney, the Royal National Park, and those of the Illawarra escarpment, which has had a significant effect on the local flora. Backhousia leptopetala is another example of this cross over.

It can grow as high as 10 metres, and although it has bark like the Turpentine, it is not as rough. It has yellow/white flowers, and opposite leaves.

Banksia Bush Care News

The planting of ground covers and small plants by Bill Harris and others at 33 Stanwell Avenue, next to Doran House, is about half complete, and we have cleared away all the weed material from the western end of Stanwell Avenue.

A big thanks to Tamara Seeck, Sayuri Takegami and Torin O’Connell for helping with the clearing of Lantana, Senna, Asparagus fern and Ochna that had been impeding the regeneration of native species. The sticks collected will now be used in the existing nests.

Bill Harris and I recently extended the deer fence in that area. Two Argentinian friends, Pablo Cicoria and Nacho Bastamante, have helped me plant numerous local species including about 100 Bangalow palms inside and outside the deer fence.

While the rains have been good for planting, they have also been good for the weeds.