Kwongan

Kwongan is a species-rich Mediterranean-type shrubland located in southwestern Western Australia. It is globally recognized for growing on highly nutrient-poor soils while supporting an incredible diversity of endemic flora.

This specific type of vegetation is native to the southwestern region of Western Australia, particularly prominent on the coastal plains and sandplains. It exists within a designated global biodiversity hotspot due to its vast number of unique plant species.

The region qualifies as a hotspot because it contains exceptionally high numbers of plant species found nowhere else on earth, alongside significant habitat loss. The plants have evolved highly specialized adaptations to survive in the region's impoverished soils.

The Kwongan heath is dominated by hard-leaved shrubs, including numerous species of Banksia, Grevillea, and Hakea. These plants often possess proteoid roots, a specialized adaptation allowing them to extract phosphorus efficiently from the nutrient-poor dirt.