Australia So Much to See

Sources used for identification of wildflowers including Aboriginal names shown on these pages, and regions where they occur, are listed under Credits

These pages will feature some of the wildflowers we have photographed in Western Australia, and where possible, identified. If you are able to help identify further flowers, or correct any I may have wrong, please contact us.

Information given for each species will give botanical name, known common names, describe the flower, give time of year it was seen, where it was photographed, and the areas it occurs in. Names have been matched to Florabase which has also been used to show distribution.

See some of these wildflowers in larger sized photos on our Flickr pages.

Home > Lists and Links > Nature in Australia > Alphabetical Wildflower Index > Wildflowers M-3

Mesomelaena stygia (unconfirmed), Semaphore Sedge

A fine reed-like leafed sedge with flower heads which have a long point at top and bottom at right angles to each other, hence the name Semaphore.

March

Albany, Great Southern region, Western Australia, and in the Mid West and Perth regions, parts of the South West, the coastal Great Southern and Goldfields regions and at a few Wheatbelt locations.

Microcorys species

Several similar species grow in the Kent and Lake Grace shires; Microcorys glabra, Microcorys sp stellate, Microcorys subcanescens, and Microcorys virgata which has very small leaves.

These plants from different locations share similar purple flowers. Small tubular flowers with five petals with a white centre; two semi-fused petals point up, two point down, and a larger petal at the bottom. Upright branching stems with narrow short leaves with a rounded tip along the stems.

November

Above left near Pingrup, Great Southern region, and above right at Kulin, Wheatbelt region. These two are very similar and may be the same species.

Microcorys species (at right)

A dense rounded shrub with small tubular purple flowers with five petals; two semi-fused petals point up, two point down, and a larger petal at the bottom, with a white centre. As well as different growth pattern to those above, leaves are longer with sides curved upwards, and a lighter coloured edge.

Micromyrtus species, with Micromyrtus erichsenii, Micromyrtus triptycha and Micromyrtus triptycha subsp. triptycha all similar.

A small upright or sprawling shrub with tiny white tubular star flowers which have a red tan centre. Short slightly succulent leaves which are as wide as long, with a slight point at tip alternate along the stems.

Dragon Rocks Nature Reserve, Newdegate, Wheatbelt region, Western Australia

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Microtis alba, White Mignonette orchid

Microtis are a small onion orchid with many tiny flowers up the stem, and having only one leaf. Microtis alba is one of the tallest of these, and can reach to 60 centimetres. It also stands out have a frilly green and semi-translucent white labellum, which is divided at the tip. The long narrow leaf is taller than the flower stalk.

December

Bridgetown, South West region, Western Australia and is found around the coast from Lancelin to Esperance, into the Wheatbelt, South West and Great Southern regions.

Micromyrtus racemosa, Dense Heath-myrtle

A shrub with spikes covered with tiny white, cream, yellow or pink five petalled flowers. Leaves amongst the flowers point upwards close to the stems, are narrow to a pointed tip.
August

Moorine Rock, Shire of Yilgarn in the eastern Wheatbelt region, Western Australia. Found in southern areas of the Mid West and through the Wheatbelt region.

Microtis cupularis 2007, Cupped Mignonette

Perennial orchids, with green flowers up the single stems. Petals and sepals are inward facing, with the labellum being curved, giving rise the name cupped. The rear side of the petals has maroon tinges, with the dorsal (top) sepal forming a hood over the column of the flower, and the outer side is maroon.

November

Yornup, Bridgetown-Greenbushes shire, South West Region, Western Australia, following a prescribed burn as it is one of many fore respondent orchids. Found in the Perth Peel region, around Bunbury, Northcliffe and Walpole in the South West, the western edge of the Great Southern, in the coastal fringe east of Esperance in the Goldfields, and it has been recorded from a location near Three Springs in the Mid West region. Favours swamps and winter wet low lying areas, and can grow in water.

Microtis atrata, Swamp Mignonette Orchid, Yellow Onion-orchid, Dwarf Mignonette Orchid. Known as Microtidium atratum in some states.
A tiny Mignonette orchid, with yellow-green flowers up the stem. Leaf is almost solid, yellowish green; sheath opening close to bottom of inflorescence. Microtis atrata has the smallest flowers of any Australian terrestrial orchid.

December

Northcliffe, Manjimup shire, South West Region, Western Australia. Found in swamps and low lying depressions though the Perth Peel regions, parts of the South West, the lower Great Southern, and along the coastal strip around Esperance in the Goldfields. Also found in other states.

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