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 we 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.
Dampiera teres, Terete-leaved Dampiera, Bushy Dampiera
A small bushy Dampiera with pale blue or purple flowers which have three frilled
edge petals pointed downwards and two shorter petals pointing upwards. Centres of flowers pale yellow. Leaves are
narrow and in a pale blue-aqua.
September
Marchagee Nature Reserve, Wheatbelt region, Western Australia, and can be found in
the coastal strip between Perth and Geraldton, and extending into the northern Wheatbelt.
Dampiera linearis, Common Dampiera, Wedge-leaved Dampiera (above, at right and below)
A soft blue Dampiera flower which has three frilled
edge petals pointed downwards and two shorter petals pointing upwards. Flower colours can vary. Centres of flowers may
be white or yellow. Sprays of flower heads from a short upright plant. Foliage oval to diamond shaped.
Smooth main stems which have lines (ribbed) as at right. Hairy flower stems and buds as above.
Spring
Bridgetown
and other locations. Occurs through the Mid West, South West, Great Southern and Wheatbelt regions.
Dampiera is a member of the large Goodeniaceae family which also includes Lechenaultia, Scaevola, Goodenia, and a number
of other genera. These are five petalled flowers, usually with three petals larger than the other two, and each petal appears to be
made of two overlapping petals with a seam, and a division at the end.
Dampiera varieties can be found in all
parts of the state, particularly in the south west corner south west of a line from Shark Bay to Esperance.
Differentiation
between the genera in the Goodeniaceae family is difficult for the amateur.
Dampiera flowers can be found in various shades of
purple and blue, many with a white or yellow area at the centre of the flower, and are mostly frilly in appearance. A yellow
variety # Dampiera luteiflora, Yellow Dampiera, occurs inland through the northern Wheatbelt, inland Mid West, Goldfields and into
desert areas.
Dampiera alata, Winged-stem Dampiera (see stem top right)
A rich blue Dampiera flower which has three frilled edge petals
pointed downwards and two shorter petals pointing upwards. Sprays of flower heads from a short upright plant, with some
stems of flat appearance due to the two edge 'wings' down the stem. Irregular shaped leaves with jagged edges.
White and very
pale coloured variations with touches of purple above right and at right.
August-October
Bridgetown, and found throughout the South
West, Perth, and parts of the Great Southern regions, into the Wheatbelt and north to the Mid West.
Dampiera juncea, Rush-like Dampiera
A vibrant purple/blue Dampiera with several heads at the end of a long stem, growing
in clumps, with no visible foliage
November
Near Nyabing, Great Southern region, Western Australia and found in the Mid West, Wheatbelt
and Great Southern regions, extending into the Goldfields
Dampiera species uncertain (at right). This differs from Dampiera linearis, with more rounded foliage and a hairy
un-ribbed flower stem. Seen at Bridgetown in September.
Dampiera, possibly Dampiera lavandulacea.
A purple to mauve Dampiera flower which has three frilled edge petals pointed
downwards and two shorter petals pointing upwards. Flower colours can vary. Centres of flowers may be white or yellow. Sprays
of flower heads from a short upright plant. Foliage widens towards the top of the leaf, with some hairiness,
may or may not have toothed edges. Smooth main stems which have lines (ribbed).
August
Merredin (at right) and
Nungarin (below), Wheatbelt, Western Australia
Dampiera lavandulacea occurs through the Mid West, Wheatbelt, Great Southern
and Goldfields regions, and into inland parts of the South West.
