Woody Pear

Xylomelum occidentale
Nyungar: djanjin

With sprays of creamy, vanilla-scented flowers in summer followed by fur covered pear-shaped fruits in Winter, the small grove of Woody Pears in the western section of Karak delights walkers. While not a threatened species, Woody Pears are considered slightly unusual in metropolitan Perth. Research published in 2020 has revealed a possible reason. Unlike other members of the Proteaceae family (such as Bankisa and Hakea) Woody Pears do not obtain phosphorus (P) from nutrient-poor soils by releasing carboxylates from cluster roots. The same study showed that soil P in the area where they grow is slightly higher than usual for Spearwood dune soils, suggesting their range may be dependent on specific soil conditions.

Photo: M. Adams

Florabase

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

Rehabilitating Roe 8 acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this nation. We acknowledge that the Rehabilitating Roe 8 project area is Wadjuk country and pay respect to Elders and all Nyungar people, past, present and future. We are committed to honouring Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society.