1. Prostanthera magnifica
Prostanthera magnifica is one of about 90 species known as the ‘mint bushes’ because of the aromatic foliage of many species. Indeed it is related to a number of herbs, including mint, thyme, oregano and sage.

Calytrix sp.
The calytrix genus consists of about 70 species, which include many fringe-myrtles and starflowers. The species found here, however, has no widely accepted common name.

2. Water harvesting
A reliable water supply is critical to survival in the dry inland of Australia, and for the first 70 years of its history, Mullewa struggled with either too little or too much. Given that dry times far outnumbered the floods, much work was put into trying to ‘drought-proof’ the town.

3. Pterostylis macrocalymma
When wildflower season is in full swing it is easy to be drawn into the big picture of things – the carpets of flowers and dazzling colours, but if you look closely you may see the spoon-lipped rufous greenhood, a delicate orchid tucked beneath the limbs of the acacia.

Caladenia sp.
If you wander off the trail you may happen upon one of WA’s most handsome wildflowers, the spider orchid. During September and October creamy white flowers trail their elegant filamentous petals, which can be up to 10cm from head to toe!

4. Cephalipterum drummondii
One of the daisy family, this species is commonly known as the pompom head and appears from July to October as long as good rain has fallen in May or June – at least 25mm.

5. Acacia tetragonophylla
Many of the trees growing along the Wildflower Walk are known as Acacia tetragonophylla, or locally as Gurarra. The species produces tasty and nutritious seeds, but is commonly known across Australia as ‘Dead Finish’. Why?

Acacia aneura
Do you think you would know a mulga if you saw one? Local Wajarri people call it Yalurr, but there are precious few along the trail. Nonetheless, mulga is perhaps the most widespread of all inland tree species.

6. Schoenia cassiniana
The pink everlasting is said to be the signature species of wildflower season in the Midwest and Murchison regions. After winter rains it grows massive carpets along road verges, across open flats and throughout the mulga scrub.

7. Brachyscome iberidifolia
Another species from the everlastings family, locally it is known as ‘native daisy’ and across Australia, as the Swan River daisy.

Podolepis canescens
Typical of the everlasting family, this species only appears after winter rain. The flowers are generally yellow, though sometimes they can range towards a golden orange.

8. Borya sphaerocephala
Commonly known as ‘pincushions’, the small spiky looking plant appears from August to October. In a good season the white flowers can look like a fine coating of snow against the bright green foliage.

9. Trachymene ornate
One look at the ‘fruits’ on this plant will quickly explain its common name, sponge-fruit. They are round, white puffballs about the size of a marble and form in clusters, creating a definite sponge-like appearance.

Almost a mining town
A find of gold from a sample of stone near Mullewa was reported in the Geraldton Express in 1896. At the time, hundreds of prospectors were passing through Mullewa on their way to the goldfields around Cue, Mt Magnet and Meekatharra, and no doubt would have taken the time to explore this country on their way through. Sadly, it all came to nothing; prospectors moved on and diggings eventually collapsed and grew over. Mullewa found other ways to prosper.

10. Ptilotus obovatus
Cotton bush grows across a wide swath of inland Australia. With a mass of white or pink globular flower heads, up to 2cm in diameter, it is easy to see why the bush could be mistaken for a shower of cotton balls.

11. Solanum lasiophyllum
Despite its name, flannel bush is not a particularly friendly specimen to encounter at close quarters. Its branches are covered with short stiff spines, up to 1cm in length.

Ricinocarpos velutinus
This shrub can grow up to 2m in height, with clusters of small, pale yellow flowers on the ends of short stems. Wajarri people call it Nyirdangu and use it to make windbreaks around their camps.

12. Senna glutinosa
This schrub has bright lemon-yellow flowers. Long flattened pods develop from the flowers - when dry these rattle in the wind, leading to the common name, rattlepods.

13. Keraudrenia hermanniifolia
This plant is generally known as the crinkle-leafed firebush. Prior to opening, the buds are shaped somewhat like a gooseberry, with soft purple paper-thin ridges. Some have likened them to a tiny Chinese lantern.

14. Waitzia nitida
The flowers of this annual herb are notable for their chunky egg-yolk coloured centre surrounded by a thicket of multi-layered petals.