Persoonia helix P.H.Weston
Here is a twist on the classic Snottygobble: Persoonia helix, one of many species in the genus and a member of the Persoonioideae tribe of the Proteaceae family. Persoonia helix is an erect, spreading shrub, to 0.4–2.8 m high, usually with several to many stems branching from the base or regenerating after disturbance from an underground lignotuber. A distinctive feature of the species is the slightly rigid, leathery leaves that are twisted through up to six complete turns and gives rise to the species epithet, from the Greek helix, a spiral. Yellow flowers are borne usually between the leaf axis close to the stem apex and have four tepals that recurve back towards the base, exposing the stamens and stigma. The yellow colouration would hint at insect pollination, which leads to a one, or sometimes two, seeded fruit.
Persoonia helix grows in yellow or white sand or sandy loam, often over laterite, in mallee-heath or mallee woodland where it is common. It can be found in an area roughly bounded by Kalgoorlie, Hyden, Ravensthorpe and Salmon Gums.
Photo: A. Markey