Wildflowers of Western Australia (Jill Harrison)

Mar 22

Mar 22 Wildflowers of Western Australia (Jill Harrison)

Selections taken from the blog Life Images by Jill. This first piece comes from her blog, "Fitzgerald River National Park, Western Australia."

Through my blog I am seeking to preserve images and memories of the beautiful world in which we live and the people in it. I am a Freelance Journalist and Photographer based in Bunbury, Western Australia. My published work specialises in Western Australian travel articles and stories about inspiring everyday people. My passion is photography, writing, travel, wildflower and food photography.

Looking back through my travel pics I discovered that it was October 2011 when we last visited the Fitzgerald River National Park on Western Australia's south coast, and I was very keen for a return visit so I could take photos of the iconic wildflowers of the region. So in late October (2017) we hitched up our caravan and took off for a week to explore.

The Fitzgerald River National Park supports approximately 2000 flora varieties and the Ravensthorpe Ranges another 1900.  It is also home to some of Western Australia's most endangered bird and animal species, including the western whipbird and… — The Fitzgerald River National Park supports approximately 2000 flora varieties and the Ravensthorpe Ranges another 1900. It is also home to some of Western Australia's most endangered bird and animal species, including the western whipbird and carpet python.

This is Barrens Regelia - Regelia velutina - which flowers from September and is one of the wildflowers only found in this region. The image you see on the right was taken from the East Mount Barren lookout where there are several of the B… — This is Barrens Regelia - *Regelia velutina* - which flowers from September and is one of the wildflowers only found in this region. The image you see on the right was taken from the East Mount Barren lookout where there are several of the Barrens Regelia growing exposed to the southern winds.

Another wildflower which only grows in this region, is the Qualup Bell - Pimelia physodes. We were lucky to see it at the end of the October, as it generally only flowers from July to September. — Another wildflower which only grows in this region, is the Qualup Bell - *Pimelia physodes*. We were lucky to see it at the end of the October, as it generally only flowers from July to September.

Another of the iconic wildflowers in this region is The Royal Hakea - Hakea victoria. The Aboriginal Noongar name for the plant is Tallyongut. It grows from 1 - 3 metres high and flowers in June to August. But it is the leaves which are th… — Another of the iconic wildflowers in this region is The Royal Hakea - *Hakea victoria*. The Aboriginal Noongar name for the plant is Tallyongut. It grows from 1 - 3 metres high and flowers in June to August. But it is the leaves which are the most striking part of the plant, ranging from green through yellow to burnt orange. I could see where the flowers had been, but I am yet to see it flowering as we were a little late. I need to be a few months earlier next time.

At our next stop we walked along the wheelchair friendly walk trail to the Cave Point lookout before having lunch at a picnic shelter at West Beach. The views from the lookout were amazing. Thank goodness for the picnic shelter as although it was wi… — At our next stop we walked along the wheelchair friendly walk trail to the Cave Point lookout before having lunch at a picnic shelter at West Beach. The views from the lookout were amazing. Thank goodness for the picnic shelter as although it was windy, the sun was hot. Just watch that the flies don't carry away your lunch! You can see below the lookout at Cave Point, with East Mount Barren in the distance, and the view of West Beach.

And a few more wildflowers from The Fitzgerald River National Park.  Clockwise from top left.... Coneflower, Eucalyptus (perhaps the Bell Fruited Mallee - Eucalyptus pressiana), chittick - Lambertia inermis, starflowers, the Dense Cla… — And a few more wildflowers from The Fitzgerald River National Park. Clockwise from top left.... Coneflower, Eucalyptus (perhaps the Bell Fruited Mallee - *Eucalyptus pressiana*), chittick - *Lambertia inermis*, starflowers, the Dense Clawflower - *Calothamnus pinifolius*, and one of the *melaleucas.*

And two more banksias - the hanging down Lehmanns Banksia - Banksia lehmanniana, and the Showy Banksia - Banksia speciosa. A couple more to add to my collection on my blog - Celebration of the Australian Banksia — And two more banksias - the hanging down Lehmanns Banksia - *Banksia lehmanniana*, and the Showy Banksia - *Banksia speciosa*. A couple more to add to my collection on my blog - *Celebration of the Australian Banksia*

And the Red Kangaroo Paw - Anigozanthus rufus. — And the Red Kangaroo Paw - *Anigozanthus rufus.*

Jill Harrison also has a great collection of wildflower photos posted on her Flickr site. Here are a bunch of favorites. . . Check out this diversity!