WHITE FANFLOWER

(Scaevola albida)

(Photos: E. Cousins; plant amongst others, flowers)

Though this plant can grow upwards, we normally see it as a prostrate shrub around Cape Jervis, growing only to about shin high. Although the name would suggest the flowers are white, they actually vary and are normally more blue than white around Cape Jervis. And no, they haven’t all been eaten by snails, leaving just half a flower! This lopsided flower shape is what makes fanflowers easy to identify: the petals only grow on one half, like a fan or a hand. The oval leaves are bright green, and like the flower colour, can vary in look: they will be smooth or hairy. Look for the flowers in spring. It really is a pretty little plant.