Cosmelia rubra R.Br.
Cosmelia rubra (Spindle Heath) is an erect, spindly shrub, growing to 3 m in height, with hairless flowers and twisted sheathing leaves. Spindle Heath produces a spectacular display of bright, pink-red, tubular flowers sporadically throughout the year.
Cosmelia is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae. The sole species is Cosmelia rubra, a Western Australian endemic, which can be found in swamp areas from Busselton to east of Albany.
The species name is derived from the Latin ruber (red) in reference to its bright red flowers.
Photo: R. Davis