Plants of Australia’s North West

The rugged landscapes of Australia’s North West support a spectacular and diverse variety of plants - over 2,000 species in fact. The heavy summer rains bring new growth and flowers to the region, while during the dry winter months, the rocky surfaces retain water to sustain plant life.

Native plant species are not only an important food source for many animal species, they also play a key role in the culture of local Indigenous people. As well as providing food, plants are used for medicine, making implements and to indicate changes in the seasons. 

Species commonly found include the ancient livistonia palm and cycads, wollybutts, kimberley bauinia, eucalypts and of course the unusual boab tree.

Along waterways, look out for mangroves, water lilies, pandanus, melaleucas and cadjebuts.  There also are many flowering wattles, bachelors buttons, grevilleas, mulla mulla, kapoks, sticky karrajongs and Cunningham’s bush tomato. 

From July to September wildflowers of all colours, sizes and shapes can be seen throughout the North West. You can see the amazing natural displays along the Pilbara wildflower Trail, see the Wildflowers section in Things to see and do for more details.

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