This month look out for the delightful bluish-mauve pea-flowers on small shrubs of Common Hovea, H.heterophylla, straggling along the ground or through other vegetation.
Common Hovea
This is also a time of surprises, as some spring flowers may appear unexpectedly early. Small-leaved Clematis, C. microphylla, has been budding up for some time. First to flower will be the male plants with smaller spreading cream flowers, ready and waiting for the later flowering of the female plants. The larger female flowers droop modestly soon after fertilisation.
Small-leaved Clematis
Along the cliff pathways, the bushes of Coast Beard-heath, Leucopogon parviflorus, are developing scented five-petalled small flowers covered with fine fluffy hairs. New soft green leaves should soon develop, contrasting with the older, darker, stiff pointed leaves.
Coast Beard-heath
In the heathlands, you may see the first of the Parrot-peas, the Grey Parrot-pea, Dillwynia cinerascens with its clusters of bright orange and yellow flowers — a colourful portent of spring.
Grey Parrot-pea
Ellinor Campbell
