Zoo Flora: Asian
Beehive Ginger
Zingiber spectabile
This Asian native is aptly named by the floral formation that resembles a small beehive! This stunning plant thrives in the humid climates of south-east Asia and has a very distinct ginger scent, particularly during the winter and spring months.
Distribution: Southeast Asia
Height: 2 metres
Width: up to 2 metres
Season: Winter and Spring
Location at Australia Zoo: Bindi’s Island and Elephantasia Gift Shop
Cat’s Whiskers
Orthosiphon aristatus
This flowering herb is native to Australia and south-east Asia. Flower colours can range from pink to white and always have ‘whiskers’ extending outwards up to twice as long as the flower itself! This sun-loving plant will flower throughout autumn and summer months.
Distribution: Australia and South-east Asia
Height: 1.5 metres
Width: Up to 90 centimetres
Season: Summer and Autumn
Location at Australia Zoo: South-east Asia and The Laughing Frog Waterpark
Croton ‘Mammy’
Codiaeum variegatum
The croton ‘mammy’ is a vibrantly coloured, dense, bushy plant that enjoys plenty of sun. The stunning leaves are twisted and curled as they grow and can range in colour from orange, red, green, yellow and sometimes even black! They are perfectly suited for the warm Indonesian environment in which they live.
Distribution: Indonesia
Height: 1 metre
Width: 1 metre
Season: Summer
Location at Australia Zoo: Koalas – Keeper Talk area
Daniel Morcombe Hibiscus
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Daniel Morcombe’
This beautiful hibiscus was officially named in memory of Daniel Morcombe in 2006. This Asian native thrives in a sunny position. The beautiful, reddish-pink flower attracts a wide variety of bees and butterflies and was donated to Bindi by Kelly Shannon in 2007.
Distribution: East Asia
Height: Up to 5 metres
Width: Up to 3 metres
Season: Summer and Autumn
Location at Australia Zoo: Entrance to Admissions area
Dragon Tree
Dracaena draco
This stunning succulent is widespread throughout Australia, America, Asia and Africa. It thrives in a tropical climate and is extremely slow growing. A mature dragon tree will develop a large, umbrella-like appearance. This tree is often referred to as a ‘dragon blood tree’ due to the red, blood-like sap that is secreted when it’s cut! The dragon tree is native to Canary Islands, where is it now considered endangered.
Distribution: Australia, Asia, America and Africa
Height: Up to 10 metres
Width: Up to 9 metres
Season: All year round
Location at Australia Zoo: Bindi’s Island
Rhapis Palm
Rhapis excelsa
This stunning species of fan palm is small and cluster-stemmed. During the summer months, this palm will bloom and bowl-shaped, three-petal flowers appear! Found throughout southern China and Taiwan, this species prefers cooler climates in partial shade.
Distribution: Southern China and Taiwan
Height: Up to 4.5 metres
Width: Up to 4.5 metres
Season: Summer
Location at Australia Zoo: Crikey Café
Staghorn Fern
Platycerium
The stunning staghorn is native to the southern hemisphere. They typically grow on other trees and rocks in order to catch rain water, leaves and debris from above. These ferns are best suited to lightly-shaded environments and thrive all year round!
Distribution: Australia, Africa, South America and Southern Asia
Height: 1 metre
Width: up to 1 metre
Season: All year round
Location at Australia Zoo: Throughout Australia Zoo
Tiger Grass
Thysanolaena latifolia
Tiger grass is a fast-growing, warm climate grass which grows into dense clumps. It produces numerous upright stems with broad leaf blades and pointed tips! This grass is widespread throughout Asia and resembles a bamboo plant in appearance.
Distribution: Asia
Height: Up to 3 metres
Width: up to 80 centimetres
Season: All year round
Location at Australia Zoo: Tiger Temple