Hemiandra pungens, commonly known as snakebush, is a shrub or trailing plant that is endemic to southwestern Western Australia.

Description

Ranging in height from 5 cm to 100 cm, it occurs on rock outcrops in sandy soils. It is a variable species that may form a trailing plant or a small shrub. The flowers appear throughout the year, are up to 2 cm across and may be white, pink or bluish-purple with brown or pink spots. It flowers in the spring.

Taxonomy

The species was formally described in 1810 by Scottish botanist Robert Brown. A widely cultivated variety lacking hairs on the stems and leaves is sometimes classified as a variety (Hemiandra pungens var. glabra), or by some authors as Hemiandra glabra, or treated as a synonym of Hemiandra pungens.

Cultivation

H. pungens seed is not typically available but this species is easily propagated from cuttings of other plants. It can be grafted onto related species including Westringia fruticosa. It can be grown in containers such as hanging baskets, and it performs best in dry climates without humid summers, in a sunny, well-drained area.