YUNTA WALUN

our plants

Native Australian Wildflowers

Our wildflowers can be found in landscapes all across Australia. For thousands of years, they've served to support the natural ecosystem of our lands, and have been used by local Indigenous groups as food, medicine and more.

Pin-cushion Tree

Hakea varieties have long been used to treat a number of skin conditions – from boils and cuts, to burns and warts. The plants and stems would be powdered or used in ointments if not directly applied to the treatment site.

Species: Hakea

Pin-cushion Hakea

The Pin-cushion Hakea has long leathery leaves and red, ball-like flowers adorned with long, white, pin-like stamens. Native to southern parts of Western Australia, it's a hardy, drought-tolerant plant.

Species: Hakea laurina

Mountain Daisy

Mountain Daisy is a rare native plant that grows only in the lower south-east of South Australia, and parts of far western Victoria. Once rife in Ngarrindjeri Country, it's now classified as rare.

Species: Ixodia achillaeoides

Purple Sticky Hop Bush

The roots of the Sticky Hop Bush were traditionally used as medicine, helping ease tooth aches and mild cuts or abrasions. Indigenous people would chew the leaves and extract juices from the plant to heal insect bites or stings.

Species: Dodonaea viscosa 'Purpurea'

Sticky Hop Bush

Some Indigenous people would boil the leathery leaves of the Sticky Hop Bush into a remedy for ear aches. Early settlers even used it to aid the fermentation of beer. It’s drought resistant – which means it’s readily available in Australia.

Species: Dodonaea viscosa

Kangaroo Paw

This unique plant has been used as medicine for many thousands of years. Kangaroo Paw is excellent for cooling the skin, reducing tissue damage, and has anti-ageing properties that are even used in some skin-care products today.

My New Option

Species: Anigozanthos manglesii

Candy Cone

Candy Cone is a stunning plant with brilliant pink blooms that are each a collection of small flowers protruding from a centre point. Part of the Proteaceae family, it’s native to Western Australia and is drought and frost tolerant.

Species: Isopogon latifolios

Nodding Coneflower

Endemic in Western Australian, the Nodding Coneflower is a small shrub in the Proteaceae family. The stunning flowers point to the ground once opened and gently ‘nod’ in the breeze, giving rise to its name.

My New Option

Species: Isopogon teretofolios

Qualup Bell

The Qualup Bell is a distinctive plant with drooping bell-shaped flowers, characterised by large cream and red/purple streaked bracts. It’s native to Western Australia.

Species: Pimelia physodes

Pine-leaved Geebung

The fruit of the Pine-leaved Geebung has long provided a source of nutrition to Indigenous people. Eaten once it’s dropped from the tree, Geebung fruit tastes similar to rock melon. The bark of the tree is also said to have medicinal benefits.

Species: Persoonia pinifolios

Seaberry Saltbush

Seaberry Saltbush has shiny green leaves that are thick and almost succulent. The flowers are small and pale with leaves that can be cooked and eaten. A small dark-red berry follows the bloom and these are also edible.

Species: Chenopodium candolleanum

Wedding Bush

Commonly known as Wedding Bush due to the abundance of white blooms, this plant is endemic to coastal regions across Australia. These fragrant white flowers are a common sight for bush walkers in spring and can grow up to three metres tall.

Species: Ricinocarpos pinifolios

Kunzea

There are around 40 species of Kunzea occurring in all Australian states and territories. They are small to medium-sized woody shrubs and have antiseptic properties. Kunzea capitata flowers range from pink to purple, and sometimes white.

Species: Kunzea capitata

Scarlet Kunzea

Of the 40 species of Kunzea in Australia, the Scarlet Kunzea is a variation known for its showy bright-red bottlebrush flower heads.

Species: Kunzea baxteri

Tick Bush

Tick bush, also known as White Kunzea, is a variation with small, white/cream flowers. It was traditionally used by Indigenous people to relieve irritated skin, muscle tightness and pain.

Species: Kunzea ambigua

Stirling Wax

A member of the myrtle family, the Stirling Waxflower is named for the waxy feeling of its petals. Aboriginal nations have long used waxflower varietals for its health benefits, and in the 1950s the crude oil from these plants wasfound to have antibiotic properties.

Species: Chamelaucium ciliatum

Emu Bush

Smoke from smoldering Emu Bush leaves was commonly used in Aboriginal ointments to wash sores and cuts – even for gargling. Scientists from the University of South Australia suggest the bacteria-killing properties of the plants could be equal to antibiotics, so we may see it being used for medical sterilisation in the future.

Species: Eremophila nivea

Fairy Waxflower

Known also as the Bendigo Waxflower, you can find this delicate bloom natively in dry, stony areas across South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria. It features aromatic leaves, with a warty feel, and small fruit.

Species: Philotheca verrucosa

Cushion bush

Native to the Ngarrindjeri nation, Cushion Bush has silvery grey stems and silver to pale gold flowers. It can also be found in Western Australia, New South Wales, Tasmania and Victoria and makes for excellent fire kindling when dried. It’s wonderfully drought resistant and thrives in coastal conditions.

Species: Leucophyta brownii

NSW Christmas Bush

While the petals start out white, the NSW Christmas Bush is aptly named for its bright-red blooms in the lead-up to the festive season, providing an Australian alternative to holly. The tree also releases a gummy resin which could have potential applications for medicine or food.

Species: Ceratopetalum gummiferum

Pink Waxflower

Native to eastern Australia, the Pink Waxflower has narrow green leaves and delicate flowers that bloom late in winter. This plant actually belongs to the citrus family, and as the name suggests, its petals have a waxy feel.

Species: Eriostemon australasius