A week's holiday on Lord Howe Island, thanks to a wonderful raffle prize, has given me a bit of an insight into the vegetation and ecology over here, and how it relates to those of Eastern Australia, Southern Africa and the Pacific islands.

One of the most striking plants I saw is incredibly rare in the Illawarra, but plentiful on Lord Howe and equally so in coastal north-eastern New South Wales such as Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie. The Prickly Alyxia (Alyxia ruscifolia), also known as the Chain Fruit, is a plant I've written about here once before, and it is really so attractive it's worth featuring again.

Its dark green, pointed rosettes of leaves, beautifully scented jasmine-like flower balls and chains of cheerful orange-red fruit are all notable and appealing features.

I try not to repeat plants, but sometimes the temptation is irresistible. Back to normal service next week!  

Emma Rooksby is the coordinator of Growing Illawarra Natives