Australia So Much to See
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Sources used for identification of wildflowers shown on these pages and regions where they occur see Credits
These pages will
feature some of the wildflowers I have photographed in Western Australia, and where possible, identified. If you are able
to help identify further flowers, or correct any I may have wrong, please contact us.
Information given for each species will
give botanical name, known common names, describe the flower, give time of year it flowered, and where it was photographed, and the
areas it occurs in. Names have been matched to Florabase which has also been used to show distribution.
See some of
these wildflower in larger sized photos on our Flickr pages.
Patersonia babianoides, Rib-leaved Patersonia
Purple-blue, three petals, only two ridged strap-like leaves. Some hairs or spines evident on the leaves photographed. The base of the short flower stem has a furry sleeve
October.
Bridgetown, South West region, Western Australia and found from Perth and through the South West and along the south coast near Albany
Purple-blue, three petals, only two ridged strap-like leaves. Some hairs or spines evident on the leaves photographed. The base of the short flower stem has a furry sleeve
October.
Bridgetown, South West region, Western Australia and found from Perth and through the South West and along the south coast near Albany
Paracaleana nigrita, Flying Duck Orchid
This is a tiny plant and an orchid modified to mimic a female thynnid wasp, to assist pollination
by attracting male thynnid wasps.
Description from Wikipedia:
The flowering stem is wiry, dull brownish maroon and bears one to a few flowers each on a stalk, each with a small leaf-like bract.
The
dorsal sepal and the two lateral petals are similar in size and are narrow linear in shape with pointed or club-shaped ends. The dorsal
sepal points downwards and is pressed against the column. The lateral sepals and two petals usually spread obliquely downwards and
sideways. The dorsal sepal and petals are attached to the base of the column where it joins to the ovary.
As is usual in orchids,
one petal is highly modified as the central labellum. Duck orchids have an unusual, insect-like labellum which flicks over when touched.
The labellum is attached to the column by a flexible "claw" which bends under the weight of a pollinating wasp. The labellum is flask-shaped,
narrowing near the end with the narrow end covered with small raised calli or glands which are usually black, but may be maroon or
greenish.
Glands on the labellum emit pheromones which are sexual attractants for male thynnid wasps. The sexual parts of the
flower are fused to the column which has broad wings along its length, forming a cup-like basket.
Paracaleana nigrita, Flying Dick Orchid. Genus may be known as Caleana or Sullivan some states.
A tiny orchid which occurs in sandy soils, with a short reddish brown stem from a small base leaf at ground level. These can be seen above left, and the surrounding moss gives a size comparison
A tiny orchid which occurs in sandy soils, with a short reddish brown stem from a small base leaf at ground level. These can be seen above left, and the surrounding moss gives a size comparison
September - October
Bridgetown, and occurs in the Perth region, extending north
into the Mid West, through much of the South West, the lower Great Southern, and into the Goldfields around Esperance
Panaetia lessonii (formerly Podolepis lessonii), 2021
A small plant with several yellow button flowers from a branching stem
October
Bridgetown, South West region, Western Australia and occurs throughout the South West, Great Southern and much of the Wheatbelt
regions.
Parakeelya: Calandrinia genus has been renamed Parakeelya, in line with its Aboriginal name and common name. When updated in
Florabase, Parakeelya will appear in this page.
Patersonia juncea, Rush-leaved Patersonia
A small and short stemmed native iris with purple or mauve flowers with three petals
on short stems, with smooth strap-like leaves
September
September
Bridgetown, South West region, Western Australia and ranges from around Perth
and into the adjacent areas of the Wheatbelt, the Mid West, throughout the South West, and into the Great Southern, and
along the south coast to and beyond Esperance
