Lambertia formosa

Scientific name: Lambertia formosa

Author: Smith

Common name: Mountain Devil, Honey Flower, Honeysuckle.

Location

You can see the Mountain Devil in the Banksia Garden of Mount Annan Botanic Garden, next to the carpark.

The Mountain Devil gets its name from the beaked and two-horned, woody fruit which resembles a little devil. They can be quite ornamental and have been used in arts and crafts.

The Mountain Devil comes from New South Wales, commonly found along the Coast from Grafton south to Jervis Bay and in the tablelands from the Blue Mountains south to the Budawang Range. Originating in heathland and open eucalypt forests, in sandy or stony soils derived from sandstone, it will adapt to a wide range of soils and conditions as long as the soil is free-draining.

The Mountain Devil has spiky leaves which provide good protection for small native birds. This relationship is mutually beneficial as the plant relies on birds to pollinate its flowers, which in turn provide nectar year-round. Although the flowers are small and hidden amongst the leaves, they are brightly coloured and continue from spring into autumn and also sporadically throughout the year.

It has been popular in cultivation and was first introduced into England in 1788. Naturally regenerating after fires, the plant will respond well to pruning or coppicing, providing a good hedge and traffic control because of its spiky nature.