Wild Flowers

Shark Bay boasts the longest wild flower season on the Coral Coast, with over 700 species of flowering plants on display, many of which are endemic to the region.

Botanical Provinces

Shark Bay is located at the transition of two botanical provinces, the south west botanical province, dominated by plants typical of cooler, wetter South-Western Australia, and the Eremaean  botanical province, dominated by desert-adapted species.  The South West Botanical Province plants are found south of Nanga and east of Tamala where as the Eremaean province plants are found on the Peron Peninsula.  The two botanical zones overlap in a region of tree heath.

Tree Heath

Tree Heath is the most diverse and complex plant community in Shark Bay.  It occurs nowhere else in Western Australia and was a factor in Shark Bay being declared a World Heritage Area.  About half of the flowering plant species endemic to Shark Bay are found in this plant community.  They include species valuable for  understanding how species adapt to different environments and the factors which limit plant distribution and abundance.

	Tamala Rose Diplolaena Grandiflora is endemic to the Shark Bay area.  Hotspots for this fragrant flower include Nicholson Point, Stella Rowley Drive and Dirk Hartog Island.
	Shark Bay Daisy Pembertonia Latisquamea is also endemic to the Shark Bay area. This colourful flower can be found all over the Shark Bay region, especially around Stella Rowley Drive and in Francois Peron National Park.
	Everlastings Golden Everlastings make a spectacular welcome to Shark Bay.  These flowers are found all along the road side around the stromatolite and Hamelin Pool area.
	Halgania Halgania Littoralis is found all over the Shark Bay region. This small purple flower can be seen along the Shark Bay Road, Stella Rowley Drive and in Francois Peron National Park
	Shark Bay Mallee Eucalyptus Roycei is restricted to the tree heath community. It can be seen around the south part of Nanga and the eastern part of Tamala Station.
	Native Hibiscus Hibiscus Coatesii can be found in the Eremaean province, especially around Edel Land and Tamala Station.
	Dune Wattle Acacia Ligulata and other Acacia's dominate the Peron peninsula and can be found everywhere along it. Some hotspots include Eagle Bluff and Monkey Mia.
	Shark Bay Grevillea Grevillea Rogersoniana has exceptionally large specimens in Shark Bay which is its northern most limit. It is a member of the tree heath community and can be found south of Nanga.
	Samphire Samphire is found in the Eremaean province with other desert-adapted species. This salt tolerant plant is found growing on the birridas around the Shark Bay area, including in the Francois Peron National Park.

Click here  for more information about wildflowers