FOTD – August 30 – Templetonia retusa

Western Australia has a considerable variety of native plants unlike any others. The Templetonia retusa is one such example. The more common name given to this plant is ‘Cocky’s tongues’ referring to the long tube like protrusion from the flower as resembling the tongue of a Cockatoo! A little exaggeration to say the least! 😉

Templetonia is a shrub in the family Fabaceae that grows in southern and south-western Australia and grows up to 2 metres (6ft) high. This one was a little over a metre (3ft) tall.

(Click on a pic to open in a new window and click again to see enlarged detail!) 🙂I think the name of ‘Cocky’s Tongue’ was the PG version they came up with after initially naming this plant?? 🙂

The flowers mostly form under the top canopy of the shrub’s branches, possibly to protect them from the hot midday sun.

Three flowers making a closely grouped bunch.

Putting on a fine display of brilliant orange in the Winter Sunshine. 🙂

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link to:

Cee’s Flower of the Day – August 30, 2019 – Dahlia

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