Spade Flower

Description:

The tallest of these I saw was about 15cm, though they do grow to 30cm. They have long, thin linear, bright green leaves. The flower is orange to yellow with darker veins. The lower petal is spathulate shape with the obove, much smaller, less visible petals only a few mm long and linear-oblong shape.

Habitat:

Found in sandy areas dominated by Eucalyptus sp. from Sydney, N.S.W. north to Queensland along the coast. I found these in a nature reserve close to the coast. There are many Eucalyptus sp. and Melalueca sp. as well as mangroves nearby. A fire had recently gone through the area and the flora was just beginning to grow back.

Notes:

Sandringham Bay Nature Reserve.