Which One Is a Coneflower? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Kangaroo Paw

That striking plant that you see in the picture is a red and green kangaroo paw (also called a Mangles kangaroo paw) and it became the state emblem of Western Australia on the 9th of November, 1960. It has long grey green leaves and its stalk, which can grow to four feet in height, produces those stunning flower heads between August and November.

The plant is protected and can only be collected from the wild under licence.

Answer: Golden Wattle

The Golden Wattle is the national flower of Australia. This is an impatient little plant...it grows rapidly from seed and will bloom from an early age. They're comfortable in most soils, so long as they're free draining, and can tolerate extremes in weather.

They produce stunning yellow flowers in late winter and early spring (August to October) and will attract honeyeaters and thornbills.

Answer: Boronia

It would be easy to mistake the Boronia for an Eriostemon, as they're very similar in appearance. You would need to look closely at the number of petals and stamen they possess to tell them apart. Boronias can be found across Australia but you're unlikely to find them in arid areas or rainforest.

They will generally be shrubs thought there are the odd ones that will grow as, either, a herb or as a small tree. If you're fortunate you may come across a fragrant one... fortunate, because their perfume is divine.

Answer: Spider Orchid

I am fortunate to live in the south west of Western Australia and I also enjoy my hiking. The advantage for me is that I get to see a lot of these little stunners. There are over 130 different species of the spider orchid endemic to my little corner of the world. They will grow in varied habitats, ranging from the cool, moist karri forests to the arid mallee regions.

(Footnote) Dah, in Morse code speak, is another term for dash.

Answer: Waratah

Perhaps one of the most easily recognised of Australia's wildflowers but, definitely one of the country's most striking. It has a blood red flower that is nestled amongst some striking blue green foliage. A bit of a fussy one this plant, doesn't like wind, doesn't like full sun and plant it in free draining (slightly acid) soil because it doesn't like getting its feet wet.

(Footnote) Rud is defined by the Merriam Webster dictionary as redness, or a ruddy colour.

Answer: Hakea

The Hakea can be either a small shrub or tree. They are common in Australian gardens as ornamentals, produce flowers similar to those of the Grevillea and have no problems in attracting birds. They are distributed right across Australia but their greatest diversity occurs in... you guessed it, the south west corner of Western Australia.

(Footnote) Yah means yes.

Answer: Everlasting Daisy

As their name implies, these are a part of the daisy family. They grow mainly in the south western region of Western Australia, spreading into South Australia. Each stem supports a single flower and the flowers will grow to approximately sixty millimetres (about 2.3 inches) in diameter. Their flowering season, in WA, lasts for about ten weeks between the months of August and November. They are a wonderful flower for drying.

(Footnote) To haver is to talk foolishly.

Answer: Bottle Brush

There are no points for guessing that the bottle brush got its name because its vibrant red flower resembles a... bottle brush. They are another very hardy Australian plant that comes in varying sizes and will also attract birds and insects. It is a low maintenance plant that will even do well in damp conditions.

Answer: Grevillea

Grevilleas are very hardy shrubs and come in a range of shapes and colours. They can be used as ground covers, medium sized shrubs or even as tall screening plants. They love the sun, almost as much as birds, particularly honeyeaters, love them. They're a little allergic to strong winds, so find a slightly sheltered position for them.

(Footnote) Jah is the Rastafarian name for God.

Answer: Banksia

The Banksia was named after Sir Joseph Banks, a naturalist aboard Captain James Cook's ship, the Endeavour, that landed at Botany Bay in New South Wales in 1770. However, as knowledgeable as he was, I doubt that even Banks would have recognised the importance of this wonderful cone shaped flower to the ecology and economy of Australia.

The Banksia is a tree that can grown as tall as thirty metres and its flowers are an important food source for birds, bats, possums and a range of other creatures.

It is also important as a cut and/or dried flower for the country's nursery industry.