Herbs may grow from seed (annuals) or from roots, tubers, rhizomes or bulbs in the ground (perennials). Most herbs appear in winter after rain, flower in spring and die back and disappear until the following year. Some tough non-woody plant species do not die off and are present all the year round and these are also classed as herbs.
There are many herb species, and many of them are abundant so the bush is transformed each year when the herbs appear.
AIZOACEAE Carpobrotus modestusINLAND PIGFACE. Carpobrotus modestus is classed as a herb because although it persists throughout the year, it is not woody. It is a prostrate succulent plant with three-sided leaves. The petals are pink to purple with white towards their base.It has a wide distribution: In Western Australia, west of a line from Carnarvon to Eyre, and also in other mainland states.
AIZOACEAE Mesembryanthemum nodiflorumSLENDER ICEPLANT. Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum is a native of South Africa but is quite widespread in Australia and several other countries. In Western Australia it occurs throughout most of the wheatbelt and goldfields and east to Fraser Range, most commonly on claypans and saline areas. The leaves are knobby in shape and have a bumpy surface.
AMARANTHACEAE Ptilotus exaltatusTALL MULLA MULLA. Ptilotus exaltatus is a perennial herb which grows to 1.2 m high and has pink-purple flowers.
AMARANTHACEAE Ptilotus exaltatusTALL MULLA MULLA. Ptilotus exaltatus is widespread in arid and semi-arid Western Australia and also extends into all other mainland Australian states.
AMARANTHACEAE Ptilotus exultatusTALL MULLA-MULLA. This image shows the large colourful flower heads. The leaves are smooth.
AMARANTHACACEAE Ptilotus benliiPtilotus benlii is an inland annual herb. It has no basal rosette of leaves unlike Ptilotus gaudichaudii which is more widespread and green and yellow. Ptilotus benlii is greenish and white with pale yellow towards the centre of the inflorescence. It has not been recorded south of Westonia Common.
AMARANTHACEAE Ptilotus holosericeus (2)Ptilotus holosericeus is an inland species from the Murchison to the Nullarbor including the wheatbelt and the goldfields. This photo was taken in open woodland.
AMARANTHACEAE Ptilotus holosericeusPtilotus holosericeus is a prostrate perennial herb which can be up to 10 cm high. The name 'holosericeus' means wholly silky.
AMARANTHACEAE Ptilotus polystachyusPRINCE OF WALES FEATHER. Ptilotus polystachyus is an erect herb to 1.5 m high. The flowers are mainly green and white. The species is very widespread in Western Australia except for the south coast. It also occurs in all other mainland states of Australia.
AMARANTHACACEAE Ptilotus polystachyusPRINCE OF WALES FEATHER. Ptilotus polystachyus. This is a young plant, in bud in July.
ARALIACEAE Trachymene ornataSPONGEFRUIT. Trachymene ornata is an annual herb from 3 to 20 cm high. The image shows the fruit and the red 'hairy' stem. It has a mostly inland distribution from Shark Bay over much of southern Western Australia.
ASPARAGACEAE Chamaexeros fimbriataChamaexeros fimbriata is a clumped herb up to 0.7 m high with many cream to bright yellow flowers. This photo shows the plant in bud.
ASPARAGACEAE Chamaexeros fimbriataChamaexeros fimbriata is an inland species which occurs from Sandstone to Grass Patch, including most of the wheatbelt.
ASPARAGACEAE Chamaexeros fimbriataChamaexeros fimbriata in flower.
ASPARAGACEAE Thysanotus manglesianusMANGLES' FRINGED LILY. Thysanotus manglesianus is a twining leafless herb which is endemic to Western Australia. The anthers are of unequal length: three longer and three shorter and they are also curved.