Wednesday, October 30, 2013

I is for Isopogon cuneatus

I wasn't sure I'd find an "I" plant but sure enough there they were waiting for me.  Don't you just love these botanical names?  Isopogon is a genus of around 35 species, most of them endemic to Western Australia.  They are part of the Proteaceae family which includes banksias, grevilleas, macadamias and hakeas.  The Isopogons are commonly known as Drumsticks.  I chose this one as I think it rather special.

Isopogon cuneatus comes from an area around Albany in Western Australia and can grow anywhere from half a metre to over 2 metres high. It flowers from the middle of spring until the end of summer, October-February.  The flower is an inflorescent, i.e. many small flowers make one large flower head. It is pale to bright pink in colour and closely resembles a pinwheel style of flower.  It has a long stem with leaves that sit under the flower. They are very popular as cut flowers.



If anyone in Australia should decide to grow Isopogon in their garden, it is best to look up the variety for your area as this will make sure it adapts well to your garden's conditions.  If you're in the eastern states of Oz the yellow flowered Isopogon anemonefolius will be more resilient than the Isopogons endemic to W.A.  In case anyone is interested this is the anemonefolius which I like 'cos it's yellow. Wonder if that would grow in Perth (if available)?





8 comments:

  1. That bush sure puts up a lot of flowers.

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  2. Thank you. It was an isopogon (wonderful name) which I took a photo of yesterday. I think - certainly related. The magic of the blogosphere...
    Another wonderful family of plants.

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    1. I am sure they are the same. I thought I'd posted on your blog to check this yellow flower against the one you'd photographed but it didn't appear first time. I am positive they are the same. They certainly are great plants.

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  3. Hari OM
    Mum had Isopogons during her residence in OZ. NSW version. Lovely plant though. ...wonder what's coming for 'J'? This is fun! YAM xx

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    1. Glad you're enjoying the flowers Yam. I've not seen these growing in Perth gardens as far as I know. J? Will be on here soon. Thanks for your visit. xx

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  4. That's a heck of a name. Some of the botanical names are real tongue twisters. The flowers are lovely though, I like that purple one, the petals appear to be red tipped.

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  5. I have to try two or three times to pronounce some of our botanical names and then I am sure I get it wrong. I am fortunate in having worked with foresters and horticulturists at the Forests Dept which helped me understand how to pronounce some of the tricky names.
    That purple one is rather special and it's hard to see if they are red tips or perhaps older flowers behind the newer ones.

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