To u r re v i e w
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
in spring
Stony Hill, Torndirrup National Park
SOUTH-WESTERN AUSTRALIA IS RICH WITH FLORA THAT IS OFTEN BIGGER, BRIGHTER AND BOLDER THAN OUR LOCAL SPECIES, AS MEMBERS DISCOVERED ON A FOUNDATION & FRIENDS TOUR TO THE AREA LAST SPRING
F
or people used to Australia’s east coast flora, experiencing the flora and landscapes of south-western Australia is like going into a slightly warped world where many plants are similar to those we know, but strangely different. It’s like looking though a distorting lens to see familiar genera and species but with different growth habits, foliage and colours. And this wonder is accompanied by great beauty and brilliant colour, in plants ranging from the mighty to the tiny. One feature of the south-west that makes it compulsive viewing for botanists is the sheer diversity of the flora. Over 10,000 native plants are known from Western Australia, most of which are found only in the south-west. Another feature that has never been quantified, let alone explained, is the botanical weirdness of the flora. Numerous plant groups are shared by south-eastern and south-western 22 THE GARDENS WINTER 2020
Australia, which have been separated by the arid Nullarbor Plain and Great Victoria Desert for the past 14 million years. In many cases, small-flowered, demurely coloured, ‘normal-looking’
plants that come from the south-east are closely related to south-western species that are either bizarrely shaped, brilliantly coloured, exceptionally large-flowered or all of these.
ENTHUSIASTIC TOUR GROUP
A vibrant Kennedia coccinea at Mondurup Reserve, Mount Barker
“Many plants are similar to those we know, but stra ngely different”
Our bus trip around the south-west corner of Western Australia took us anticlockwise, starting in Kings Park in Perth then driving south, then east as far as Hopetoun, north to Hyden and back to Perth. We travelled for several hours most days, with frequent stops at sites of botanical interest. Our driver, Graeme Spedding, had reconnoitred the route the previous week, and his botanical contacts had recommended some good places for flowers. At every stop the variety of genera and species was overwhelming. Good-natured Graeme is an excellent person with many skills, much local knowledge and touring experience, but it was
