Native Plant Species at Lake Mountain

The Balm Mint bush, also known as Prostanthera Melissifolia (quite a mouthful) belongs to the Lamiaceae family. It grows to be around 5 metres in height and spreads out about 3 metres. These flowers are oval-shaped and mauve in colour, with darker purple centres. The tips of the flowers have toothed margins, with crowded rich green leaves underneath.

The Balm Mint Bush is native to Victoria and is truly striking along the trails. It will be hard to take your eyes off them! The Balm Mint Bush is often used for medicinal purposes, serving to improve cognitive function and promote mental clarity, as well as offer respiratory support.

Mountain Bitter Pea, also known as Daviesia Latifolia, is a shrub that has over 110 different species Australia-wide, making it one of the largest families in Australia. They are included in the plant family known as the Fabaceae, all of which have a fruit known as a pod or legume.

When this beautiful plant begins to flower it is very attractive to the eye. Dark yellows and crimson pea flowers cluster together in a truly stunning display, lighting up the path as you walk through with their tiny yellow heads, even when young the stems grow a lovely shade of red.

This hardy, quick growing plant can extend to 2-4 metres in height.

This tall flowering shrub grows wild in many parts of Australia, and has various names such as Golden Tip, Clover Bush and Yellow Pea and is absolutely radiant in colour. The Silky Golden Tip will keep you hanging around, forced to stop and appreciate it’s fine beauty.

If you’re looking to grow your own native plants and are wanting results fast, then this is definitely the most attractive choice. When given enough space to grow it turns into the most beautiful attraction of all. The Silky Golden Tip works quickly, covering everything in its path and even winding its way up walls and fences if it can.

Within only a few years this plant will grow to be at least 3 metres tall with a similar if not wider spread.

As you head further up the hill from Arnold’s gap to Snowy hill, here are a few natives you could expect to see:

Long-leaf Waxflower, also known as Philotheca Myoporoides, (or native Daphne) is a hardy bush, with beautiful pale pink buds that are set amongst a darker green, bushy foliage.

This beautiful flower is perfect for our Alpine conditions as they thrive during the drought seasons and in cold weather. Its thick, strong branches anchor themselves deep within the soil, making it easier for the plant to survive through icy, windy conditions.

When full-grown, this plant will reach a height of over 2 metres tall.

Mueller’s Bush Pea, also known as Pultenaea muelleri, is a shrub that grows to be about 3 metres in height, similar in appearance to the Balm Mint Bush with its yellow petals and bright red centre.

Heading into early October you can expect to see a progression of Hovea, Bush-peas, Mints, Trigger plants and Billy Buttons – a truly unique looking plant with narrow woolly leaves and globe shaped flowers on the end of their long stems, almost like a little golden pom pom!

One of the best places to see this beautiful display of plant species is along the Echo Flat Walk, an easy walk along the ski trails, starting from Lake Mountain Village and winding its way through Snow Gum woodland. From here you will have the opportunity to see firsthand how the snow gums have been recovering since the fires and a stunning display of wildflowers that have now become to take over.

Lake Mountain has a variety of bush walks for you to choose from. Each route will show you through the beautiful mountainous scenery, as well expose you to different species of vegetation. From the stunning wildflowers to breathtaking views of the Snow Gum woodland and Mountain Ash, you really won’t be able to look away!

If you’re new to bushwalking and keen to get started, we’ve put together an article with some bushwalking tips for beginners to help you out. With the Christmas holidays right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to get away, go sight-seeing and set out on a new adventure. With that in mind you should consider heading down to Lake Mountain, located just 2 hours from Melbourne CBD.

There really is no excuse for missing out – your adventure awaits. See you soon!

Stay COVIDSafe this summer by staying up to date on the latest physical distancing and restrictions via the https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/ website.