Parmelia Hill/Primary School

by Miss Alice Gardiner
(Medowie NSW Australia)

I am on the hunt of a very unusual bush that my only few memories exist from my days in Parmelia Primary School somewhere around 30 years ago.

This bush as I remember it resided near the school along one of the many dirt tracks that cut through the scrub from the direction of Cimber Way were I lived and where I believe the house I lived at still exists from back then.
Through most of the year this little bush (approx 1 metre high if that), had dark green leaves if memory serves, that was somewhat similar to the rosemary bush (?) though possibly flatter and more leaf like.

It is however, the flowers I most remember. They were pale white in the shape of an Donkey orchid only smaller and more profuse, with a highly unusual habit of having the 'tounge' of the flower retract when touched i.e. curling tightly up into the main flower with its prize, which unfortunately at the time, tended to be overly curious children spending the entire time tapping the flowers and giggling inanely of the resultant action from the flower.

If there is any chance that anyone might know the name of this unusual plant, could they please let me know, I shall be avidly viewing this site in the hope that someone could enlighten me.

On the topic of another flower I sighted during my junior years in Parmelia just up the hill of Cimber Way that was called at the time - though who knows if it even still exists, is Parmelia Hill, where I found a great deal of the most beautiful native orchards.

One of them that I have never seen the like of is a beautiful deep purple orchid with flecked spots of yellow dusting the petals, it stood no more than 30cm high with long dark green leaves at the base of the plant. Again would be very happy to know if these still exist and if anyone might know of their name!

There where a great many more orchids there at the time and the more people that know of this unlikely location, the more likely these plants, if they are still there at all, could have their environment severely damaged by the less than respectful locals, so I hope that any that venture there tread lightly. However if it might invite the possibly of making this into a protected land mark then please let the Council know, it is most likely the only thing Parmelia ever had going for it!