Australian flora

85% of Australia’s plants are found nowhere else on Earth!

With over 22,000 species it is one of the oldest and most diverse floras in the world. From rainforest to alpine meadows to savannah and desert, the landscape is one of stark contrasts.

Eucalypts and acacias dominate the temperate forests and dry scrublands, while desert jewels such as Sturt’s Desert Pea (Swainsona formosa) burst into bloom when the rains fall.

Many plants are uniquely adapted to their pollinators, resulting in an array of dramatic and bizarrely shaped flowers.

Born to burn
Many plants are adapted to the fires that sweep the landscape – some need the heat of the flames or even the gases in the smoke to stimulate flowering, seed release and germination.

Back up to: temperate house plants

On to: Australian acacias