Flowers of a feather

While some residents might hold political divides with the Town of Port Hedland, there is no reason to bear a grudge against the local government’s floral emblem – the stunning bird flower.

While the Pilbara native might not look like much at first glance, on closer inspection it shows itself as a marvel of Mother Nature, according to Greening Australia community project co-ordinator Pip Short.

She said her land care group will be selling the bird flower alongside other Pilbara natives at most community markets this year.

“It is the vibrant green flowers, shaped exactly like a bird that really steal the show,” she said.

“With the stem and sepal of the flower (resembling) the head and beak … the leaves are shaped in … a way to create both the body and wings of a bird in flight,” she said.

“It reminds me most of a hovering hummingbird.”

Yet like many native plants, the bird flower is not just a pretty face, it also thrives in Pilbara conditions.

“(It has) furry, silvery foliage that helps to prevent water loss in the harsh … Pilbara climate (and a) comforting rattle of the seed pods as they blow in the breeze,” Ms Short said.

“How Mother Nature gets these kind of things so right is beyond my level of comprehension but one good look at this amazing flower and you will see that she has.”

The local plant also has a prominent champion with long-time Hedland resident Joan Foley often donning a giant bird flower outfit to attend community events.

More information about local plants can be found in Greening Australia’s bookPilbara Native Plants for Gardens and Landscapes.