Long Purple-flag

The Long Purple-flag or Patersonia occidentalis is sometimes called a native iris, and when the vibrant purple flowers bloom it’s not hard to see why. It’s a mystery these aren’t on everyone’s list of favourites, but we’re doing our best to change that! These strappy plants thrive in seasonally wet areas and can tolerate dry periods. They make great habitat for small reptiles and their flowers attract bees, butterflies and admirers.

Occidens means west, in case you don’t speak Latin, and this is a common species in Western Australia. Not so in South Australia, where it’s classed as rare statewide and here on the Fleurieu, largely from land clearing and drying conditions.

This year in the nursery we have grown over 600 Long Purple-flags for restoration initiatives across the Fleurieu, including projects with SA Water and the Fleurieu Swamp Restoration Network.

You’ll find them popping up in multiple places here on the property too. We have plantings in our gullies for habitat restoration, our Rare Seed Orchard for stock, and our ornamental gardens for beauty.

Plant these in swathes in your back garden or keep an eye out for violet-coloured drifts on your woodland hikes in spring and summer. Better yet, come and help us look after them in the nursery!

This plant is one of many species we propagate at The Forktree Project Nursery. If you’d like to volunteer, please get in touch at hello@theforktreeproject.com.

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