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Mountain Devil
~ Lambertia formosa ~
PROTEACEAE
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The horny little Lambertia formosa has a juicy flower, profusely filled with nectar to attract an abundance of honey-eaters. Sometimes called the Honey Flower, its thrilling resemblance to the fallen angel himself has scored this plant the common name of Mountain Devil. Though these pods were used as gaudy tourist souvenirs, which led to them being over-picked, First Nations cultures used them as children’s toys by tying feathers to the stems to depict little birds and other animals.
WHERE TO LOOK
Lambertia formosa is the only species in the genus to be found in the eastern states – the rest are endemic to Western Australia. In New South Wales, find the Mountain Devil at Booderee National Park in the expansive botanic gardens on Aboriginal land. It can also be found ranging from the Braidwood district north to Port Stephens, Torrington and Grafton, and in the sandstone ridges near the coast from Red Rock to Yamba.
FEATURES
The Mountain Devil is a bushy shrub with rigid branches. Its pink to red, tubular, bearded flowers are 2–5cm tall and group together in clusters of seven, without stalks, at the end of branches. The lobes are rolled back leaving a long straight protruding style beyond the flower with reddish bracts supporting the bloom. Its leaves are tough, glossy and sharply pointed with a prominent midrib measuring 2–8cm. Its horny fruit are rough, woody capsules measuring 15–25mm tall with a short beak and long horns, and contain two seeds each.
FLOWERING SEASON
Spring and summer → Flowers are produced most of the year but are more prevalent in spring and summer.
TRADITIONAL USES
The woody fruit of the flower have been handcrafted into figures to depict birds or, with grass strung to the pods to create arms and legs, possum- or kangaroo-like dolls. Its nectar is also drunk straight from the flower for nourishment.
PLANTING
The Mountain Devil grows well in soil with good drainage and a partly shaded to sunny aspect. Prune lightly to promote better flowering, and mulch and compost well. It does not like to be moved once established so give it its forever home in your garden or large pot.
