Photo: Astrid Fyhr

 

The landscape of southwest Australia is flat and sandy. It is dominated by dense thickets (kwongan) and low eucalyptus forests (mallee) with few herbaceous plants. Species richness is still huge, with over 8,000 plant species. During the hot period the vegetation looks dusty and grey from a distance. The leaves are typically small and hard and are protected from evaporation by a thin wax layer, giving the leaves a grey shade.

In the Australia room are many representatives of the area's most important plant families, including eucalypts, acacias and the characteristic grass tree (Xanthorrhoea). During winter and spring the bushes are starred with flowers and the acacias spread pleasant fragrances in the room.