Journal of the Department of Agriculture, , Series 4

Volume 10 Number 12 December, 1969 Article 4

1-1-1969

Wildflowers of the Geraldton district

E M. Bennett

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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 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 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 family. The are well represented by the white plumed , 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 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 are also prominent the most blue flowers. a interesting being the bird , 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 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. A fairly typical piece of this type of The vegetation here is mainly low vegetation has been preserved in Spalding shrubby heath with occasional native pines Park, an area which is located on the and mallee eucalypts such as Euc. banks of the Chapman River to the north ebbanoensis, Euc. jocunda and Euc. eudes- of the Geraldton townsite. Part of this mioides. Wattles are well represented area has been planted to grass, but the among the taller shrubs and it is interest­ native vegetation is still to be seen along ing to note that the black wattle, Acacia the banks of the stream. cyanophylla, which is so abundant in the A feature of the Park is the predomin­ Perth Metropolitan Area, is also present in ance of yellow during the flowering these reserves. season, and this is provided by the many Other shrubby plants are broom bush, wattles which occur there, as well as by Melaleuca uncinata, the mauve flowered the yellow featherflower, Verticordia Melaleuca nematophylla, a rather distinct chrysantha, and the species of Grevillea, form of the fox banksia, B. sphaerocarpa, and buttercups (Hibbertia). and several species of the genus Dryandra, The large yellow-flowered bottlebrush, a genus which is totally restricted to Melaleuca megacephala, which has a very Western Australia. restricted range, also occurs in this reserve. Of considerable interest in these two Shades of white, pink and red are also areas are the annuals and the herbaceous prevalent in the spring, and are provided perennials. Two of the latter which are mainly by the many small flowered mem­ worthy of note are a branching form of bers of the myrtle family, principally the common Mangle's kangaroo paw, and from the genera Baeckea, Micromyrtus the unique Leschenaultti longiloba. and Thryptomene. Several pink flowered 508

Journal of Agriculture, Vol 10 No 12, 1969 species of bottlebrush, particularly Mela­ Starflowers too blossom in a riot of mauve leuca radula are also common. Grevillea, and yellow, while Hibiscus adds its quota Banksia and Hakea with flowers of white, of purple blooms. The curious flowers of orange and red occur abundantly, while the snakewood (Hemiandra) as well as probably the most interesting red-flowered Pityrodia and Scaevola are evident species in the area is the chapman creeper, throughout the area, but nowhere produc­ Marianthus ringens. ing a mass of colour. Perhaps the most One of the outstanding features of the unusual of the summer flowers are the sandplain flora is the number of species delicate blossoms of the fringed lilies of which flower during the summer months, the genus Thysanotus. and the Geraldton district is no exception. The Geraldton district is one of the best Many of the eucalypts both of the river in Western Australia for the abundance beds and the sandplain, flower after the and variety of its wildflowers. This rainy season, and one of these is the diversity of flora is an important tourist yellow - flowered illyarrie, Eucalyptus attraction and a great asset to the district. erythrocorys. It is essential that the flora should be The intriguing lambs tails (Lachno- preserved by wise administration and care­ stachys) occur in many localtities, while ful management to ensure that future featherflowers of several types produce an generations will have the opportunity of abundance of yellow and brown flowers. studying it.

Isopogon divergens is a pink flowering mem­ The shrubs of can reach a ber of the Banksia family. This species is height of 10 feet, looking a spectacular sight common throughout the Geraldton district. when the bright red flowers are in bloom. This plant occurs in the sandy soils of the area. 65126-(2) 509

Journal of Agriculture, Vol 10 No 12, 1969