In this area these beautiful wildflowers are shrubs that usually occur on sandy and gravelly soils and tend to flower in late Spring. Most have tubular flowers, and often have hairy/woolly vegetation and / or aromatic foliage.
The following clues indicate that flowers are superbly adapted for bee and fly pollination.
I use the following rules of thumb to help me identify genera in this area
The following clues indicate that flowers are superbly adapted for bee and fly pollination.
- Generally white, mauve, pink colours which suit their vision, often with darker spots to provide contrast
- Petals form a corolla tube lined with stamens that rub pollen on to an insect as it enters to get nectar
- The tube ends in two or 5 irregular lobes, and provide insects with landing pads and attracts their attention.
- Many flowers have tiny hooks or lobes on anthers that push pollen onto the insect.
I use the following rules of thumb to help me identify genera in this area
Prior LAMIACEAE (FOXGLOVE) FAMILY
Genus Microcorys - white and pale pink, tube shaped flowers with a helmet shaped upper corolla lobe, three crinkled lower lobes, and a five lobed calyx. Two fertile stamens and two infertile ones (staminodes)
Genus Microcorys - white and pale pink, tube shaped flowers with a helmet shaped upper corolla lobe, three crinkled lower lobes, and a five lobed calyx. Two fertile stamens and two infertile ones (staminodes)
 Microcorys exserta E. Yornaning |  Microcorys capitata Newman Block |  Microcorys subcanescens Foxes Lair |
Genus Hemigenia - white pink and purple tube shaped flowers with a helmet shaped upper corolla lobe, three lower lobes, and a two lobed calyx.Four fertile stamens. Leaves have rounded or blunt ends.
Hemigenia humilis Foxes Lair
Genus Hemiandra - white and pink classic mint shaped flowers with a two lobed calyx, a narrow corolla tube with two upper lobes and three lower lobes, and four fertile stamens. Hemiandras have distinctive sharp pointed leaves without petioles and opposite placement on the stem. Hemiandra pungens (Snakebush) is most common locally.
 Pink Hemiandra pungens Newman Block |  Hemiandra pungens Foxes Lair |
Genus Westringia - white, classic mint-shaped flowers with a five lobed calyx, a narrow corolla tube with two upper lobes and three lower lobes, and two fertile stamens. I usually see Westringia rigida in open woodland.
Genus Westringia - white, classic mint-shaped flowers with a five lobed calyx, a narrow corolla tube with two upper lobes and three lower lobes, and two fertile stamens. I usually see Westringia rigida in open woodland.
Prior VERBENACEAE / CHLOANTHACEAE (MINT) FAMILY
Members of this family are most common in drier areas, and have drought tolerant dense woolly vegetation. There are only one or two species in each genus in this area, which vary greatly. They all occur on gravelly kwongan heath.
Dasymalla terminalus is a tallish shrub adjoining the Harrismith airstrip, which has spectacular white flowers in October.
Members of this family are most common in drier areas, and have drought tolerant dense woolly vegetation. There are only one or two species in each genus in this area, which vary greatly. They all occur on gravelly kwongan heath.
Dasymalla terminalus is a tallish shrub adjoining the Harrismith airstrip, which has spectacular white flowers in October.
 Dasymalla terminalis curved corolla tube |  Dasymalla terminalis Harrismith |
Chloanthes coccinea is notable for its bright red flowers and sessile glandular leaves. The colour anthers and stigma extending from the corolla tube indicate bird pollination.
 Chloanthes coccinea Newman Block |  Top two stamens extend further out |
Cyanosteia lanceolata can resemble a Malvacae
Cyanostegia Lanceolata is a tallish shrub that is very different to other Lamiaceae genera, and can be mistaken as a member of the Malvaceae family. Bright yellow stamens and the pistil are highlighted as they project out from the black corolla tube to attract buzz pollinating native bees. After pollination the corolla tube sheds leaving the calyx, which expands and glows in the sun.
Cyanostegia Lanceolata is a tallish shrub that is very different to other Lamiaceae genera, and can be mistaken as a member of the Malvaceae family. Bright yellow stamens and the pistil are highlighted as they project out from the black corolla tube to attract buzz pollinating native bees. After pollination the corolla tube sheds leaving the calyx, which expands and glows in the sun.
 Cyanostegia lanceolata Newman Block |  Cyanostegia lanceolata corolla separating from calyx |