Commonly known as the WA Christmas Tree, Nuytsia floribunda is a tree up to 10 metres high of upright habit. In summer it becomes covered in spectacular golden flowers which occur in clusters on branched inflorescences and which occur over several months.

The plant is at least partly a root parasite in that its roots attach themselves to the roots of other plants and gain part of their growth requirements from the host species.

This highly adaptable plant is able to survive in paddocks where all native vegetation has been removed. The tree will attach itself via a haustorial collar to extract nutrients from almost any host plant.

They will even attack underground electric cables to short out the entire house, unless protected within a PVC pipe.

Small irrigation pipes are also destroyed by the roots of this plant, so it can be an expensive addition to a domestic garden. duced grasses.

Also despite its spectacular flowers and ornamental desirability for garden use, it will hunt down the roots of most plants within a 50 metres radius and unless they can quickly develop alternative roots, will die within a few years.

Nuytsia floribunda is also difficult to permanently remove, as they will rapidly regrow their trunk if knocked over, providing the rootsystem is not too badly damaged.

The WA Christmas Tree as its name suggests tends to flower over the Christmas period, but most young or small plants will not flower at all unless there has been a bushfire, when most will bloom prolifically, even those at knee height.

There is significance of the WA Christmas Tree for Noongar Aborigines in Perth and it’s captivation of early settlers that came to WA. The first settler’s notes and aboriginal folklore were absolutely fascinating.

The aboriginal people used to say the trees were a transit point for dead spirits. It was very sacred to them.