Despite the vast areas of aridity it contains, Western Australia also boasts a startling variety of endemic wildflowers. The Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park explodes with colour in the spring months. The leached, sandy soils of Western Australia produce a surprising variety of vividly-coloured wildflowers.
The demanding environment prevents any one species predominating, leaving a gorgeous array of fantastically-evolved orchids, sundews, kangaroo paws and the like to flourish in their exclusive niches. Their striking colours and shapes developed as a means of attracting the attentions of the few pollinators found in the area. Walking in the 155sq km (60sq mi) Leeuwin-Naturaliste national park in spring (September to November), it's possible to see orchids, banksias, clematis, cowslips, and many other species, including the improbably named prickly moses.
