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These mangroves in the inlet reminds me of a central/south Florida swamp but with miniature plants.
I'm now wondering where the limit is in South America or Africa.
There's no definite answer...but I would say Illawarra at 34*S where banyan trees (Ficus spp.), king palms (Archontophoenix cunninghamia), fan palms (Livistona spp.) flame trees (Brachychiton spp.), and many cycads (Lepidozamia and Macrocomzia spp.) are found in abundance, with some reaching their southernmost natural distribution there.
Africa is nearly identical to Australia, while S. America would probably be around Argentina and Paraguay (to about 27*S?).
But what exactly is a tropical plant? I went by truly tropical plants that reach into the subtropics, but if you called every palm tropical, then it would be Oklahoma in N. America...
There's no definite answer...but I would say Illawarra at 34*S where banyan trees (Ficus spp.), king palms (Archontophoenix cunninghamia), fan palms (Livistona spp.) flame trees (Brachychiton spp.), and many cycads (Lepidozamia and Macrocomzia spp.) are found in abundance, with some reaching their southernmost natural distribution there.
Africa is nearly identical to Australia, while S. America would probably be around Argentina and Paraguay (to about 27*S?).
But what exactly is a tropical plant?
I went by truly tropical plants that reach into the subtropics,
but if you called every palm tropical, then it would be Oklahoma in N. America...
I think ficus trees grow in Albany WA, at 35 S on the Southern Ocean, though they are certainly not native.
Where is Illawarra?
South America gets stronger cold fronts vs. Africa and Australia?
Australians have a more narrowly defined view of what's tropical and what isn't,
as cool-hardy palms grow easily in their coldest major city.
Tropical here always seems to imply warmth + heat + extremely mild winters
In Florida, they would probably class USDA Zone 10a as "sub-tropical" but might class 10b "tropical."
I think ficus trees grow in Albany WA, at 35 S on the Southern Ocean, though they are certainly not native.
South America gets stronger cold fronts vs. Africa and Australia?
Australians have a more narrowly defined view of what's tropical and what isn't,
as cool-hardy palms grow easily in their coldest major city.
Tropical here always seems to imply warmth + heat + extremely mild winters
In Florida, they would probably class USDA Zone 10a as "sub-tropical" but might class 10b "tropical."
I think anywhere north of Rockhampton is tropical because Brisbane and Gold Coast are in zone 10b and most Australians seem to classify them as subtropical. Even coastal Sydney could be considered zone 10b...
I think ficus trees grow in Albany WA, at 35 S on the Southern Ocean, though they are certainly not native.
Where is Illawarra?
South America gets stronger cold fronts vs. Africa and Australia?
Australians have a more narrowly defined view of what's tropical and what isn't,
as cool-hardy palms grow easily in their coldest major city.
Tropical here always seems to imply warmth + heat + extremely mild winters
In Florida, they would probably class USDA Zone 10a as "sub-tropical" but might class 10b "tropical."
I think anywhere north of Rockhampton is tropical because Brisbane and Gold Coast are in zone 10b and most Australians seem to classify them as subtropical.
Even coastal Sydney could be considered zone 10b...
That's because Rockhampton is just north of the Capricorn.
I've heard Australians describe Mackay as sub-tropical, at the 21 S parallel.
But by Australian standards, Sydney doesn't have an abundance of warmth and heat. (temperate)
I would think most plants that grow in South Florida will grow in Sydney with the exception of coconut palms and a few other ultra tropical plants.
Sydney's tropical plant choice would probably be more similar to southern California (with irrigation) then to Florida. Coconut palms really aren't that ultra-tropical, they'll fruit as far north as Bermuda and Madeira, which get quite cool in the winter. They have survived as low as 26 or 27*F in central Florida and south Texas. Ultra-tropical is reserved for things like Durian, Breadfruit, Mangosteen, and Rambutan which start to sulk below 40*F or even slightly higher.
Sydney's tropical plant choice would probably be more similar to southern California (with irrigation) then to Florida. Coconut palms really aren't that ultra-tropical, they'll fruit as far north as Bermuda and Madeira, which get quite cool in the winter. They have survived as low as 26 or 27*F in central Florida and south Texas. Ultra-tropical is reserved for things like Durian, Breadfruit, Mangosteen, and Rambutan which start to sulk below 40*F or even slightly higher.
You're probably right in that Sydney is probably more similar to Southern California as far as tropicals are concerned. Since coconuts really struggle in Southern California, I don't think they'd make it in Sydney either.
You're probably right in that Sydney is probably more similar to Southern California as far as tropicals are concerned. Since coconuts really struggle in Southern California, I don't think they'd make it in Sydney either.
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