INVASIVE ALIENS
Rhus lancea (Karee) in flower will attract bees and other insects.
From page 36
plot can be invaded by dense
thickets of black wattle,
which reduces the grazing
area for your livestock. An
evergreen tree growing 5-
10m high, black wattle has
dark olive-green, finely hairy
leaves, rough, greyish bark,
small pale yellow to cream,
globe-shaped flowers in large,
fragrant sprays, (August to
September) and finely haired,
dark brown seed pods.
If you are replacing the tree
in your garden, you will want
something of a similar size
and shape.
You might consider one of the
species of Karee as a replace-
ment.
Rhus lancea Karee is a very
hardy, evergreen, drought
resistant tree with a graceful,
weeping form. The dark,
fissured bark contrasts
beautifully with the long,
thin, bright, trifoliate leaves.
The inconspicuous yellow-
green flowers (male and
female flowers on separate
plants, therefore only female
36
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plants bear fruit) from June to
September attract insects and
bees and are followed by
bunches of edible fruit that
attract birds. The small
flowers are borne in abun-
dance and give the tree a
lacy look when in bloom.
It thrives in clay soils and is
fast growing if watered
regularly, even though it is
also drought hardy. It makes
a great climbing tree for
children if the lower
branches are not pruned off.
Plant in sun or semi-shade in
virtually any soil type and it
grows up to 8m.
Rhus leptodictya, Mountain
Karee, is also a very hardy,
evergreen, drought resistant,
small, decorative tree with a
drooping crown of bright
green foliage. The bark on
young stems is reddish
brown, becoming darker and
rougher as the tree matures.
The lovely reddish wood is
used to make beautiful small
pieces of furniture.
The inconspicuous flowers
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