Golden Outback Wildflowers, flower bucket list

With the wildflower season coming out way, the team at Australia’s Golden Outback asked travellers which wildflowers were on their bucket lists … and got a lot of great answers …

TOP 7 WILDFLOWERS

Moora spider orchid (Caladenia exilis subsp. Vanleeuwenii)

This beautiful orchid is a rare subspecies that can be found in Candy’s Bush Reserve in Moora. It grows in winter-damp eucalyptus woodlands. The flowers can be white, cream, pale yellow or red.

“We found prodigious clumps of Moora spider orchids flowering in isolated areas in the Moora region. They are some of the most beautiful spider orchids I’ve seen as they vary in colour from white right through cream, pink, mauve and deep purple. All different colours together. My camera really couldn’t do them justice.” — @wildernesscam

Boomerang triggerplant (Stylidium breviscapum)

These little beauties can be been spotted in the Corrigin Nature Reserve and Kulin Macrocarpa Trail during spring and early summer. This flower has a sneaky way of being pollinated. From the throat of the flower protrudes a trigger which is activated when an insect lands on the flower. Once the flower detects pressure, the trigger harmlessly strikes the insect, covering it in pollen. The strike of the trigger is fast — 15 milliseconds. After a while it will reset and wait for the next visitor. Watch closely — you might see it in action.

Queen of Sheba orchid (Theylmitra variegate)

Only growing in the South West of Western Australia, the stunning Queen of Sheba orchid boasts a single dark green, spiral-shaped leaf and up to five glossy, red, purple or violet flowers. Historically, this beauty grew in the heart of Perth, but a loss of habitat through clearing eradicated many populations, and theylmitra variegata is now restricted to just a few small and isolated populations between Bunbury, Albany and the Fitzgerald National Park.

“All hail Her Majesty the Queen of Sheba! If this doesn’t convince you to love native orchids, then you’re a lost cause!” — @tobiashayashi_photography

“The Queen of Sheba orchid is top of my list!” — Ohshot Chilli

Cleopatra’s needles orchid (Thelymitra apicultata)

Cleopatra’s needles is one of the most beautiful sun orchids of Australia, and closely related to (and often confused with) the Queen of Sheba. The flowers are a deep purple colour with bright yellow colouration along the edges of the petals, and often also the sepals. The colour is generally quite variable and can range from blue to dark purple. The common name, Cleopatra’s needles, is a reference to the prominent needle-like tips at the end of the yellow column wings.

“I would like to see it because it is beautiful and elusive!” — Sue Frawley

Wreath flowers (Lechenaultia macrantha)

One of the world’s rare, and odd, flowers has to be these wreath flowers. While they are not endangered, they are limited to small areas of the Wheatbelt and Geraldton regions. Head to Dalwallinu, Wubin, Perenjori, Yalgoo and Pindar and try your luck finding these beauties.

“It is amazing how these flowers grow flat on the floor, rather than your typical flower that grows upright! I am yet to see these in person but hopefully I get lucky this year!” — Danica Deller

Mulla mulla (Ptilotus exaltatus)

The mulla mulla is a short-lived yet absolutely spectacular herbaceous perennial with feathery purple flower heads (looks just like fairy floss!) with dark green leaves. They are extremely drought-tolerant — perfect for the Golden Outback! You can often find these flowers growing along sand dunes. Head to Coolgardie, Kambalda, Leonora or Laverton for your chance to see these beauties.

“I absolutely love these flowers — they look so beautiful! We are heading to the Goldfields in a few weeks to try our luck. I dream about what those feathery petals feel like!” — Amy Hewitt

Smooth-lipped spider orchid (Caladenia integra)

The smooth-lipped spider orchid is an unusual spider orchid that has red and green and yellowish flowers with long upwards-curved lateral sepals. The labellum has three lobes and smooth edges. The long upright stems produce a single flower. Your best bet to see these would be in September or October. They are often spotted in Wagin.

“These flowers are hard to spot and so delicate! I am ready for the season to start — it’s my favourite time of the year!” — Marie Foster

Everlastings

While everlastings may be very common, there is something so special about finding a field of these beauties!

“I am searching for a beautiful field of everlastings! They remind me of a fairytale!” — Jordan Taylor

+ Information from Australia’s Golden Outback.