Blue Pincushion

~ Brunonia australis ~

GOODENIACEAE

These little poms of blue delight, seemingly speckled with stardust, look like a bloom Tinkerbell would spring from in a Disney film. Its ‘flower’ is considered an ‘inflorescence’, which means it’s a cluster of flowers that make up a ‘whole’. In this case, that whole can be made up of 50 or more tiny flowers. Its pollen-laden stamens are reminiscent of yellow-headed pins pricked into a cornflower-blue pincushion. Brunonia australis is the only species that sits under the Brunonia genus – an only child – and is related to Goodenias, Lechenaultias and Scaevolas.

WHERE TO LOOK

B. australis typically occurs in grassy woodlands and dry forests dominated by Eucalypts. It can be found across the country in a large range of habitats, though it’s heavily concentrated in Victoria and is considered a threatened species in lutruwita (Tasmania). It’s usually in the company of Native Orchids, Sundews, Heaths, Grass Trees and Eucalypts.

Locations → Victoria: Dandenong Ranges, Macedon Regional Park, Wombat State Forest, Wilsons Promontory National Park and Anglesea Heath; Tasmania: Launceston Cataract Gorge.

FEATURES

Its silky, slightly hairy grey-green leaves are around 10cm tall and form a rosette around a long 50cm stalk. Perched up top is its bright-blue inflorescence measuring 15–30mm in diameter. Each plant produces up to two flower heads at a time. A hard, shuttlecock-shaped fruit is held within the base of each flower.

FLOWERING SEASON

Spring → This perennial herb pops up each year around September to December.

PLANTING

Like a lot of native species, the Blue Pincushion loves sunny spots and well-draining soil. Seeds can be bought online and in nurseries and require no pre-treatment. Propagate the plants by dividing a mature clump into parts and replanting. Keep seeds each season for replanting as this Pincushion tends to act like an annual in cultivation. It’s also drought and frost tolerant.