Summer Stunner

During summer when the temperatures are soaring it is most surprising to observe splashes of white blossom in the roadside vegetation.   On further inspection we find the blossom is a twining shrub Marianthus bicolour, commonly named Painted Marianthus  due to the wonderful burgundy stripes on the petals. Marianthus are members of the Pittosporaceae Family and are mostly twining climbing shrubs. If no support is available Marianthus will form dense shrubs to 1 metre. Marianthus bicolor’s usual habitat is sand-over-gravel in open woodland which is generally found on hillsides. Flowering is from December to March, and the fruit is a fleshy capsule.