Wildflowers of the Geraldton District

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4 Volume 10 Number 12 December, 1969 Article 4 1-1-1969 Wildflowers of the Geraldton district E M. Bennett Follow this and additional works at: https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture4 Part of the Botany Commons, Other Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons, and the Other Plant Sciences Commons Recommended Citation Bennett, E M. (1969) "Wildflowers of the Geraldton district," Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4: Vol. 10 : No. 12 , Article 4. Available at: https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture4/vol10/iss12/4 This article is brought to you for free and open access by Research Library. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4 by an authorized administrator of Research Library. For more information, please contact [email protected]. WILDFLOWERS OF THE GERALDTON DISTRICT By E. M. BENNETT, Botanist THE wildflowers of Western Australia which have aroused such interest throughout the world are found largely in the south western corner of the State. Within this area, and indeed in the drier areas also, certain districts are richer than others. One example of this concentration of wildflowers occurs to the north and east of Geraldton. As in most areas, the sandplains which with the orange of B. prionotes never fail occupy a large part of the Geraldton dis to impress visitors while the many species trict are of particular interest, and support of the other groups such as smokebush, a majority of the wildflower species. A woody pear and cone flowers, add interest number of plants bloom during the winter ing variety in both colour and form. months but the main flowering period The myrtle family is represented by commences in late July when the well- some of its most unusual species. Out known everlastings as well as many other standing are several forms of Pileanthus, annual plants and small shrubs are in the genus to which the familiar "copper bloom. The larger shrubs and trees com cups" of the South-West belongs. The mence flowering in August, and from then northern plants are tall, bushy shrubs, until the end of October, the whole sand- and produce masses of brilliant magenta plain is a riot of colour and is a never- coloured flowers. ending source of delight to the naturalist Several of the largest of the feather and wildflower enthusiast. flowers of the genus Verticordia occur To the north and south of the Murchison here and produce spikes of white, red River lies one of the largest and most and yellow flowers of unusual structure. floriferous sandplain areas of the State. The star flowers, species of Calytrix, both Here are concentrated a large number of red and purple in colour are well our most spectacular plants, several of represented. which are found only in this area. The hibiscus family is prominent amongst the shrubs, and the two species Among the most noteworthy species are Hibiscus drutnmondii with deep blue those of the banksia family. The grevilleas are well represented by the white plumed grevillea, Grevillea leucopteris and its near relative G. annulifera. These produce COVER PICTURES their highly scented white flowers on long Melaleuca megacephala with large leafless canes carried well above the leafy dense heads of yellow flowers is a low basal portion, while several other species shrub found growing in sand. Hal- of more orthodox form produce an abun gania argyrophylla is a low shrub dance of red or yellow flowers. with grey-hairy leaves and bright Hakeas are also prominent the most blue flowers. Grevillea dielsiana a interesting being the bird hakea, H. orth- bright red flowering shrub which orrhyncha, in which the clusters of red reaches a height of 3 feet is found flowers are produced on the older wood of growing in sandy soils. Verticordia the lower branches. oculata is a low shrub of 2-3 feet But it is probably the banksias them which has white to lilac coloured selves which give most colour and interest flowers. All these species are re to the area. The yellow flowered spikes stricted to the Geraldton district. of B. sceptrum and B. lindleyana, together 506 Journal of Agriculture, Vol 10 No 12, 1969 flowers and the yellow centred blue typical south-western species including the flowered Alyogyne hakeifolia occur Mangles' kangaroo paw, Menzies' banksia throughout the area. and the pink flowered form of milkmaids, In favourable seasons the pink flowered Burchardia umbellata. mulla-mulla, Ptilotus exaltatus, develops Several species of the leschenaultia in great abundance, particularly along family are found in this area, and a par roadsides, where it reaches a height of two ticularly interesting one is the unusual feet. It branches profusely and makes a green-flowered Leschenaultia chlorantha, magnificient sight when in full bloom. which occurs in rocky soils. A common A recently-discovered species from this bottlebrush which has large bright red area is Goodenia sericostachya a relative flowers is Calothamnus Mepharospermus, of the Leschenaultia, which has white, while the related Melaleuca cardiophylla woolly stems and leaves, and a flowering has large yellow flowers and heart-shaped spike of mauve flowers 6 to 8 inches long. prickle-pointed leaves. Among the annual plants special men Several species of Eucalyptus occur tion should be made of the flannel flower, within the reserve, the most notable being Actinoius leucocephalus and the appro the river gum, Euc. camaldulensis and priately named native cornflower Brunonia coolabah, Euc. microtheca, which are australis. found in the gorge of the Murchison River. In the sandplain areas are the white- barked tree Euc. drummondii, the mallee NATIONAL PARKS IN white gum Euc. redunca, and mallalie Euc. THE GERALDTON eudesmioides. The featherflowers are most AREA. prominent in the southern half of the reserve where several tall species dominate the scene during the early summer months. But perhaps the most unusual plant forms are illustrated by the stemless Brachysema tomentosum in which the yellowish flowers are borne at ground level at the bases of the flattened much divided leaves, and Brachysema aphyllum, with its brilliant red flowers and flat, ribbon-like stems. The Kalbarri National Park has been established for the preservation of this unique sandplain flora and the picking of wildflowers is strictly prohibited. Eastern sandplains To the north-east and east of Geraldton the sandplain area exhibits a somewhat different character, with several species of native pine in evidence and in some localities taking the place of the usual eucalypts. It is in this area that the remarkable wreath leschenaultia reaches its greatest development and carpets acres of sandplain with its brilliant reddish- yellow rings of flowers. In contrast to this plant the closely related species of Kalbarri National Park Dampiera produce flowers which show a The Kalbarri National Park occupies the great range of shades of blues and purples. southern portion of this sandplain and Perhaps the outstanding species is the embraces a large part of the gorge of the woolly-headed dampier?, D. eriocephala, Murchison River. The Reserve is of which produces a broad head of deep blue particular interest as it contains the flowers on a single stalk arising from a northern-most specimens of a number of basal rosette of leaves. Splashes of blue 507 Journal of Agriculture, Vol 10 No 12, 1969 are also provided by the low-growing pea- Granite outcrops flowered shrub, Mirbelia fLoribunda which Granite outcrops are not very common so closely resembles the species of Hovea. in the area, but the few which do occur Other pea flowered plants of note are provide an interesting variation to the species of Jacksonia particularly J. macro- sandplain flora. They deflect large quanti calyx, and granny's bonnets or lamb ties of water into the surrounding country, poison, Isotropis cuneifolia. and thus produce more favourable grow Plants of creeping or climbing habit are ing conditions. Individual plants are larger not very common in Western Australia, and more luxuriant than those further but two which can be seen in this eastern away from the rock; growth is more dense sandplain are the light purple flowered and gives the impression of a luxuriant Cheiranthera filifolia and the pink flowered garden in comparison with the surround Comesperma integerrima. In this area, as ing sandplain. in most areas of the State, roadside vegeta On the rocks themselves a number of tion is frequently stimulated into vigorous encrusting lichens manage to survive even growth by the disturbance of the soil. Two the driest summers, while in the hollows such plants which make spectacular where a few grains of sand have accumu growth along roadsides in certain years lated, mosses are common. Here and there are the native foxglove Pityrodia axillaris, in moss beds or along cracks of the rock a grey felted bush with mauve to red or under overhanging ledges, a few rock flowers, and the tinsel flower, Cyanostegia ferns appear, while the hardy and very angusttfolia. common pin grass, Borya nitida, carpets large areas with its rigid prickle-pointed Reserves leaves. Parts of this sandplain area have been In the beds of the Murchison, Chapman set aside as reserves, one at East Yuna and Greenough Rivers, as well as other and the other to the south-east of Walk small watercourses, a specialised flora can away. These areas are of very great value be seen. This is dominated mainly by from the point of view of conservation, Eucalyptus, although the sheoak, Casua- and are supplementary to the Kalbarri rina obesa, occurs in most areas. National Park. Both represent a local development of a rich and varied flora Spalding Park within the larger sandplain area.

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