West-Australian Wildflowers.

As promised, today I bring you an insight into the diverse and beautiful flora indigenous to the state of Western Australia. I'm in Perth, the capital of Western Australia and one of the world most isolated capital cities. The state covers an area that is roughly the same size as Spain, France and Germany combined! Known as one of the oldest land masses on Earth, the state is rich in minerals and is a great source of mining wealth (for a few very rich individuals...but lets not go there...); more importantly, it is rich in unique flora, many species of which are found nowhere else in the world.


When the rains of June and July soak the dusty, parched earth.....the rich red soils explode into a riot of vivid colours as wildflowers carpet the landscape lasting for up to 5 months through to December.

    
While there are many tour operators that offer the chance to see these rare beauties in their natural state, you can get a glimpse of these delicate blooms in the magnificent King's Park and Botanic Gardens in Perth.


Perched high above the city of Perth with views over the city and the Swan River, King's Park is an area of 400 hectares which showcases the spectacular flora of Western Australia. The area, located on Mount Eliza, was first gazetted a national park in October 1st 1872.

                                               































The colour and variety of wildflowers defies the imagination, there are between eight and twelve thousand varieties of wildflower in Western Australia and some 319 species are showcased in the park.

Perhaps one of the most unique specimens in the park, and one of my favourites is the Adansonia gregorii, more commonly known as the 'Boab' or 'Bottle Tree'. This is the only Boab tree endemic to Australia, although other baobabs are found in South Africa, Madagascar and the Arabian Peninsular.......interesting links to continental drift!

Easily recognised by it's swollen base which gives the tree a 'bottle-like' shape, this tree is indigenous to the Kimberly region of Western Australia. The tree can grow to between 9-12 meters with a trunk diameter of 5m.

The tree pictures above was moved due to a road widening project; it travelled the 3200km on the back of a truck, from the Kimberly's to King's Park, it's new home. 

The tree played a significant role in the traditions of the local Gija people of the Kimberly's who have now passes it on to the Nyoongar people, the traditional owners of the King's Park area.

Adansonia gregorii can live up to 200 years!

So if you ever find yourself in Perth, take a walk up the winding paths and steps to the summit of Mount Eliza and marvel in the breath-taking views over the city and the Swan River. Take a walk amongst the wildflowers and strange trees that make up a small part of a unique and beautiful part or the world........and get grounded!