The Flora of Rottnest Island by Brendan McCann
There’s nothing quite like witnessing sheer expanses of green scenery that seems to go on for miles. Combine that feature with an ocean as blue as the sky and you have Rottnest Island. This several-thousand year old location has played home to humans, animals and plant life for almost 8000 years now, and the local flora has flourished beyond compare in that time. Here’s a look at some of the native species of plants and flowers.
As one of the most common types of plant throughout the entirety of the island, Prickle Lily is instantly recognizable due to its small white clusters of flowers. The leaves resemble thick blades of grass, although they are much tougher to touch. This wild flower was considered a weed due to its potential to spread during the summer months, but over the past few years the plant has come to be admired for its beauty and resilience.
The Rottnest Island Daisy
This type of daisy can only be found on Rottnest Island and has become one of the biggest draws for agriculturalists and botanists from all walks of life. It’s soft, gentle purple hues can be spotted from a kilometre away as the flowers will often cover entire fields. When up close, each individual petal can be admired for its beauty and pigmentation. It’s this pigment that allows the plant to do so well by the coast where photosynthesis can be performed to its maximum potential daily.
The Rottnest Island Pine Tree
This tree is a staple feature throughout Rottnest Island, and they vary in size from the smallest shrubs to growing as large as buildings. Unlike traditional pine trees that often develop spine like foliage, the Rottnest Island pine tree resembles a fur tree in appearance – although with far more leaves. These soft, plush leaves are gentle on the skin and have even been used in herbal remedies over the past few thousand years.
This coast-dwelling flower thrives in both warm and cold climates and it’s become very popular as a border between homes on the island. Its aromatic white flowers can be detected from several meters away and the short, soft leaves make it suitable for use within a garden or home where children and pets may be present. When growing wildly, this type of rosemary will flourish if left in direct sunlight with access to a source of water, so it’s no wonder why it’s done so well around the coastal regions around the island.
One of the best ways to enjoy the greenery of Rottnest Island is from a different perspective. The local Rottnest Express boat service provides visitors with a way to explore the ocean around the island and it will get as close to the coast as possible too – making it easy to photograph the local flora from a distance to ensure that everything has been captured. more at http://www.rottnestexpress.com.au/Rottnest-Island/About-Rottnest/