Asterolasia grandiflora

Description:

Asterolasia grandiflora was one of the first rare flora species we discovered in Sept 1997 on Catchment Road, Wandoo NP, York. (PERTH 04958071) Jean recognized this as a significant flora species and this was identified at WA Herbarium. We were not licensed to collect rare flora at that time so Les (JL)Robson, Kim Kershaw and Allan Wright were the CALM conservation officers who were designated to record this new population. We were quite excited about this and even asked the gentlemen if they wanted a hand to count up the plants. No they didn't! The boss guy told us to go away and find some more somewhere. We have been looking for rare plants ever since.These are particularly attractive plants when flowering. They are probably our favourites. Over the following years during September we often stop to see how the plants in this population are faring. In 1997 there were something like 1500 plants in the population. Since then the population had been burned and had suffered from extremely dry seasons. Last year we were barely able to find 30 plants. Other associated flora species in the population also seemed to be struggling to return since the last burn. This year's rain has been a godsend. Yesterday we were amazed to see how many Asterolasia grandiflora plants were already beginning to flower, colouring the rocky slope with showy pink flowers.We doubt that there are as many plants as in 1997 but never the less this will be the best since then. Photo: Fred