The Floral Emblem of Victoria - The Pink or Common Heath
After the good rains, many of us may be eagerly looking forward to visiting verdant rural or coastal places in Victoria as the COVID restrictions are eased. If it is to be in late Spring, there may still be a chance to see the last of the flowering heaths and wildflowers that grow in the bushlands.
Each State and Territory of Australia has its own distinctive and identifiable floral emblem that can be used on flags or coat of arms. After several years of deliberation the Pink or Common Heath, Epacris impressa was unanimously chosen in 1958 to be Victoria’s official floral emblem. Victoria was the first Australian State or Territory to officially select a floral emblem and it is included on the Victorian Coat of Arms.
Early in September, during a Gardening Australia program, Jane Edmunson walked the heath growing area of Victoria between Anglesea and Aireys Inlet. Jane met with Pete Crowcroft, an education leader with the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee who said this region has about one quarter of the State’s native plants including the Pink or Common Heath and over 90 species of orchid as an added attraction.
The scientific name of the Common Heath is Epacris impressa. Epacris is from the Greek epi meaning upon, and acris, a summit which refers to the high altitude habitats of some species. Impressa is from the Latin meaning indented, referring to an indentation on each petal around the base of the tube-like flower that has 5 petals. It is a member of the Ericaceae family and is related to a number of other heaths. It is a welcome pop of colour during Winter when many plants are dormant. The Common Heath flowers from late Winter through to late Spring and grows to around 1- 1.5 metres high.
Victoria’s floral emblem grows in the southern part of Victoria. Some of the places plant can be found are in the Grampians in the National Park, the Little Desert, Portland and on the Anglesea heathland. The Common Heath grows in Tasmania too and also crosses the borders into South Australia and New South Wales. Closer to home for Melbournians it grows in both the Royal Melbourne Botanic Gardens and the Royal Botanic Gardens at Cranbourne.
A huge tapestry of Pink Heath, created by the tapestry weavers at the Australian Tapestry Workshop in 1980, hangs in the Sofitel Hotel on Collins Street, Melbourne. An equally splendid tapestry of the Golden Wattle is a companion piece that is also hanging nearby in the first floor foyer. They are worth a visit when Melbourne city opens up again soon.
Image credit: Joan Mason
