Overview
Flora of Jirdarup Bushland Precinct
The first major survey of the flora of the Kensington Bushland was undertaken in 1980-81 and published by the Western Australian Herbarium in 1992. Native plants comprised 70 per cent of the listed flora, which was considered high for the suburban area.
At least 200 native plant species have been recorded in Jirdarup from the majestic Jarrah to the tiniest orchids.
Three species of banksia, B menziesii, B attenuata and B ilicifolia dominate with Nuytsia floribunda (WA Christmas Tree) making a show in Birak/summer.
There are eight tree species endemic to Jirdarup. Ten native grasses have been recorded.
In Djilba and Kambarang (around spring), the bushland bursts into flower and visitors can enjoy donkey and sun orchids, Swan River Myrtle, the Star of Bethlehem and many more.
While there is no single comprehensive list of the flora of Jirdarup, several subsets exist and are continually being refined:
- The Town of Victoria Park’s Kensington Bushland Management Plan 2018 includes an extensive list.
- Dr Barbara Rye recently compiled a list of species recorded in the WA Herbarium data base. Get a copy of the table here.
- Diaries kept by Friends of Kensington Bushland coordinator Gwynth Schlipalius and other Friends since 2000 have identified 24 orchid species in the Kensington Bushland.
Some are also listed in our featured bushland life and images of the flora feature regularly in our Facebook posts.
