Indigofera australis Native Indigo

Common Name: Native Indigo Pea
Species: Indigofera australis
Family: FABACEAE

A shot of a flowering branch of Indigofera australis, my apologies for the out-of-focus flowers.

Geranium solanderi var. solanderi

Common Name: Native Geranium, Crane's Bill
Species: Geranium solanderi var. solanderi
Family: GERANIACEAE

It's hard to tell, but the lobing in the leaves of Geranium solanderi var. solanderi are slightly different to those of Geranium neglectum shown in the previous photos.

Geranium neglectum Groundcover

Common Name: Native Geranium, Crane's Bill
Species: Geranium neglectum
Family: GERANIACEAE

Geranium necglectum makes a lovely shade tolerant groundcover once established in the garden.

Geranium neglectum Flowers

Common Name: Native Geranium, Crane's Bill
Species: Geranium neglectum
Family: GERANIACEAE

The dainty white flowers of Geranium neglectum or Native Geranium. Despite the species epithet neglectum giving a hint that this species may be able to handle neglect, I managed to kill the one I was growing. It turns out this species doesn't tolerate drying out too well, which is understandable as its naturally found along creek banks and in swamps.

Goodenia ovata Flower

Common Name: Hop Goodenia
Species: Goodenia ovata
Family: GOODENIACEAE

A close-up of the flower and leaves of the Hop Goodenia, Goodenia ovata.

Goodenia ovata Hop Goodenia

Common Name: Hop Goodenia
Species: Goodenia ovata
Family: GOODENIACEAE

A close-up of Hop Goodenia, a most excellent native groundcover.

Goodenia ovata Groundcover

Common Name: Hop Goodenia
Species: Goodenia ovata
Family: GOODENIACEAE

Hop Goodenia makes an excellent native groundcover for under trees.

Hardenbergia violacea Trailing Over Edge

Common Names: False Native Sarsaparilla, Purple Coral Pea, Happy Wanderer, Native Lilac, Warraburra
Species: Hardenbergia violacea
Family: FABACEAE

A shot of Hardenbergia violacea in flower trailing over a low retaining wall.

Hardenbergia violacea Sprawling Vine

Common Names: False Native Sarsaparilla, Purple Coral Pea, Happy Wanderer, Native Lilac, Warraburra
Species: Hardenbergia violacea
Family: FABACEAE

Hardenbergia violacea is a sprawling, scrambling vine with purple pea flowers. The leaves are leathery with prominent yellow venation.

Hardenbergia violacea Flowers

Common Names: False Native Sarsaparilla, Purple Coral Pea, Happy Wanderer, Native Lilac, Warraburra
Species: Hardenbergia violacea
Family: FABACEAE

Hardenbergia violacea is a scrambling vine with purple pea flowers.

Eremophila bignoniiflora Branch

Common Names: Bignonia Emu Bush, River Argee, Dogwood, Gooramurra, Kurumbimi, Creek Wilga
Species: Eremophila bignoniiflora
Family: SCROPHULARIACEAE

A flowering branch of the Bignonia Emu Bush, Eremophila bignoniiflora, so named due to the resemblance of its flowers to certain members of the Bignoniaceae family (such as Pandorea pandorana).

Eremophila bignoniiflora Flower

Common Names: Bignonia Emu Bush, River Argee, Dogwood, Gooramurra, Kurumbimi, Creek Wilga
Species: Eremophila bignoniiflora
Family: SCROPHULARIACEAE

The Bignonia Emu Bush is a small (1m) to large (8m) native Australian shrub, depending on the individual plant and growing conditions.

Grevillea 'Allyn Topaz' Branches

Common Name: Grevillea hybrid 'Allyn Topaz'
Species: Grevillea 'Allyn Topaz'
Family: PROTEACEAE

A photo showing the foliage and branch form of Grevillea 'Allyn Topaz'. This cultivar is hardy but requires full sun and well drained soils.

Grevillea 'Allyn Topaz' Flowers

Common Name: Grevillea hybrid 'Allyn Topaz'
Species: Grevillea 'Allyn Topaz'
Family: PROTEACEAE

As its cultivar name suggests, Grevillea 'Allyn Topaz' has spidery, topaz-coloured flowers that cover the bush during Spring.

Grevillea 'Magic Lantern' Foliage

Common Name: Grevillea 'Magic Lantern'
Species: Grevillea preissii subsp. glabrilimba 'Magic Lantern'
Family: PROTEACEAE

The fine, feathery, silver-grey foliage is an attractive feature of this Grevillea cultivar.

Grevillea 'Magic Lantern' Weeping Flowers

Common Name: Grevillea 'Magic Lantern'
Species: Grevillea preissii subsp. glabrilimba 'Magic Lantern'
Family: PROTEACEAE

The red, weeping flowers of Grevillea 'Magic Lantern'.

Grevillea 'Magic Lantern' Flower Close-Up

Common Name: Grevillea 'Magic Lantern'
Species: Grevillea preissii subsp. glabrilimba 'Magic Lantern'
Family: PROTEACEAE

Although 'Magic Lantern' is less hardy than other forms of Grevillea preissii, its silvery foliage, compact form and pendulous flowers make it a very attractive native shrub.

Grevillea 'Bon Accord' Branches

Common Name: Grevillea hybrid 'Bon Accord'
Species: G. johnsonii x G. wilsonii
Family: PROTEACEAE

A photograph showing the branches of the Grevillea hybrid 'Bon Accord' while in flower.

Grevillea 'Bon Accord'

Common Name: Grevillea hybrid 'Bon Accord'
Species: G. johnsonii x G. wilsonii
Family: PROTEACEAE

Grevillea 'Bon Accord' can grow to a height of 3m under ideal conditions.

Grevillea 'Bon Accord' Flowers

Common Name: Grevillea hybrid 'Bon Accord'
Species: G. johnsonii x G. wilsonii
Family: PROTEACEAE

This Grevillea hybrid 'Bon Accord' has deeply-lobed, bronze-tinted, fine foliage and red flowers.

Casuarina 'Cousin It' Prostrate Form

Common Name: Swamp She-Oak
Species: Casuarina glauca 'Cousin It'
Family: CASUARINACEAE

Casuarina 'Cousin It' is an amazing prostate cultivar of the normally tree-sized Swamp She-Oak. This cultivar is becoming more and more common in landscape design here in Australia. I like how it forms a dome around the centre of the plant and spreads outwards almost flat to the ground. It looks amazing when planted near and allowed to trail over retaining walls, almost like a green-coloured water spill that has been frozen into place.

Hop Goodenia Goodenia ovata Groundcover

Common Name: Hop Goodenia
Species: Goodenia ovata 'Gold Cover'
Family: GOODENIACEAE

The yellow-flowered Hop Goodenia prefers growing in semi-shade and on soil that isn't too dry. This useful native groundcover tolerates moderate frost and grows well on a range of soil types.

Goodenia 'Gold Cover' Flowers

Common Name: Hop Goodenia
Species: Goodenia ovata 'Gold Cover'
Family: GOODENIACEAE

Gold Cover is a lovely ground cover cultivar of Goodenia ovata which flowers for most of the year.

Hovea acutifolia Purple Pea Bush In Flower

Common Name: Northern Hovea
Species: Hovea acutifolia
Family: FABACEAE

When Purple Pea Bushes flower they do it rather spectacularly.

Hovea acutifolia Flowers

Common Name: Northern Hovea
Species: Hovea acutifolia
Family: FABACEAE

The purple pea flowers of Hovea acutifolia.

Hovea acutifolia Branch In Flower

Common Name: Northern Hovea
Species: Hovea acutifolia
Family: FABACEAE

Most Hovea species are commonly known simply as Purple Pea Shrubs and all are native Australian wildflowers.

Grevillea alpina Alpine Grevillea Shrub

Common Names: Alpine Grevillea, Mountain Grevillea, Cat's Claw
Species: Grevillea alpina
Family: PROTEACEAE

A shot showing the form of an Alpine Grevillea (Grevillea alpina) shrub. This species has a tendency to be short lived when grown in climates with a humid summer, however this can be overcome by grafting onto a more robust Grevillea rootstock.

Grevillea alpina Flowers

Common Names: Alpine Grevillea, Mountain Grevillea, Cat's Claws (Not to be confused with the similarly named weed, Cat's Claw Creeper)
Species: Grevillea alpina
Family: PROTEACEAE

Contary to both its scientific and common name, Grevillea alpina is actually more abundant at lower elevations than high. This wildflower is native to the dry forests of Victoria and southern New South Wales. The small, nectar rich flowers are a good food source for nectar feeding birds, mammals and insects.

Eremophila brevifolia Lipstick Bush In Flower

Common Names: Lipstick Bush, Spotted Eremophila
Species: Eremophila brevifolia
Family: SCROPHULARIACEAE

A photo showing the form of a red-flowered cultivar of the Lipstick Bush (Eremophila brevifolia). Lipstick Bush can grow to 2m under ideal conditions and typically flowers from July to September.

Eremophila brevifolia Lipstick Bush Flower

Common Names: Lipstick Bush, Spotted Eremophila
Species: Eremophila brevifolia
Family: SCROPHULARIACEAE

A close up of the red flowers of Eremophila brevifolia, the Lipstick Bush or Spotted Eremophila, a very pretty native wildflower.

Eremophila brevifolia Lipstick Bush

Common Names: Lipstick Bush, Spotted Eremophila
Species: Eremophila brevifolia
Family: SCROPHULARIACEAE

Lipstick Bush is a lovely wildflower shrub native to south-western WA. This specimen was in flower at Brisbane's Mt. Coot-tha Botanic Gardens.

Eremophila maculata Spotted Emu Bush Shrub

Common Names: Spotted Emu Bush, Native Fuchsia
Species: Eremophila maculata
Family: SCROPHULARIACEAE

Spotted Emu Bush (Eremophila maculata) is a native wildflower shrub that can reach a height of 3m under ideal conditions.

Spotted Emu Bush Eremophila maculata Flowers

Common Names: Spotted Emu Bush, Native Fuchsia
Species: Eremophila maculata
Family: SCROPHULARIACEAE

The Spotted Emu Bush is a Western Australian native wildflower that flowers between May and November.

Eremophila maculata Spotted Emu Bush Flowers

Common Names: Spotted Emu Bush, Native Fuchsia
Species: Eremophila maculata
Family: SCROPHULARIACEAE

Flowers of the Spotted Emu Bush, Eremophila maculata.

Chamelaucium 'Purple Pride' Flowers

Common Name: Geraldton Wax, Wax Flower
Species: Chamelaucium uncinatum 'Purple Pride'
Family: MYRTACEAE

Another shot of the purple-flowered cultivar of Geraldton Wax, Chamelaucium 'Purple Pride'.

Chamelaucium 'Purple Pride' Bush

Common Name: Geraldton Wax, Wax Flower
Species: Chamelaucium uncinatum 'Purple Pride'
Family: MYRTACEAE

Geraldton Wax bushes can grow quite large under ideal conditions reaching a height of 4m.

Chamelaucium 'Purple Pride' Geraldton Wax Flower

Common Name: Geraldton Wax, Wax Flower
Species: Chamelaucium uncinatum 'Purple Pride'
Family: MYRTACEAE

Flowers of the Geraldton Wax are quite long lasting and are used in the florist industry in Australia.

Chamelaucium 'Purple Pride'

Common Name: Geraldton Wax, Wax Flower
Species: Chamelaucium uncinatum 'Purple Pride'
Family: MYRTACEAE

A purple-flowered cultivar of Geraldton Wax, a wildflower of Western Australia.

Hibiscus insularis Shrub

Common Name: Phillip Island Hibiscus
Species: Hibiscus insularis
Family: MALVACEAE

A photo showing the form of a Phillip Island Hibiscus shrub, see my other photos for close-ups of the flowers themselves.

Hibiscus insularis Two Flowers

Common Name: Phillip Island Hibiscus
Species: Hibiscus insularis
Family: MALVACEAE

Two flowers of the wonderful Phillip Island Hibiscus, Hibiscus insularis.

Hibiscus insularis Phillip Island Hibiscus Flower

Common Name: Phillip Island Hibiscus
Species: Hibiscus insularis
Family: MALVACEAE

The Phillip Island Hibiscus is a gorgeous species of native hibiscus, and probably the best native hibiscus species for training into an informal hedge. I love the way the stamens and stigma twist around each other, giving them a candy-cane like appearance.

Aseroe rubra Anemone Stinkhorn

Common Names: Anemone Stinkhorn, Sea Anemone Fungus, Starfish Fungus
Species: Aseroe rubra
Family: PHALLACEAE

A landscape shot of the entire set of fruiting bodies on this Anemone Stinkhorn fungus. It was likely living off the decomposing wood chip mulch.

Aseroe rubra Sea Anemone Fungus

Common Names: Anemone Stinkhorn, Sea Anemone Fungus, Starfish Fungus
Species: Aseroe rubra
Family: PHALLACEAE

Another angle of the same Anemone Stinkhorn fungus fruiting bodies.

Aseroe rubra Anemone Stinkhorn Close-Up

Common Names: Anemone Stinkhorn, Sea Anemone Fungus, Starfish Fungus
Species: Aseroe rubra
Family: PHALLACEAE

Ok, ok, it's a fungus not a plant, but it is native to Australia. I didn't want to create a fungi photoblog as I think I have enough photoblogs already so alas here it is lumped in with the plants, sorry to any purists. In the photo above you can see the brown slime (known as gleba) that the Anemone Stinkhorn fungus produces to attract flies, which help to spread its spores.

Sacred Lotus Flower Close-Up

Common Names: Sacred Lotus, Indian Lotus, Bean Of India
Species: Nelumbo nucifera
Family: NELUMBONACEAE

A close-up of a white-petalled Sacred Lotus flower, there are also a coupe of small bees also on the flower. I love the textures in this shot, of the petals, of the stamens and the stigma structure. Sacred Lotus flowers are great subjects for photography.

Sacred Lotus Nelumbo nucifera

Common Names: Sacred Lotus, Indian Lotus, Bean Of India
Species: Nelumbo nucifera
Family: NELUMBONACEAE

A wider shot of the same white Sacred Lotus flower with its large leathery leaves in the background and another flower bud in the top left corner.

Nelumbo nucifera Sacred Lotus

Common Names: Sacred Lotus, Indian Lotus, Bean Of India
Species: Nelumbo nucifera
Family: NELUMBONACEAE

Despite being the national flower of both India and Vietnam (White and Pink flowered varieties respectively), the Sacred Lotus is also a native of Northern Australia. While often used as a large, attractive feature plant in water gardens, the Sacred Lotus tubers, young leaves, flowers and seeds can also be eaten making this both a very beautiful and useful plant.