Floral emblem decided

For the first time, Australia’s mining heartland has a floral emblem to represent the region.

The purple wildflower royal mulla mulla (Ptilotus rotundifolia) will soon be displayed on Pilbara sporting uniforms, signage, business cards and letterheads.

Conservation organisation Greening Australia Pilbara launched a campaign earlier this year asking the community to nominate a blossom that best represented the Pilbara from the wildflowers which bloom between June and September.

A submission by Debbie Howes, from Nickol, won over the judges and she took home a $1500 cash prize.

Ms Howes said she was “excited” and “quite proud”.

A field full of mulla mullas across the road from her house inspired Ms Howes to nominate the flower.

“It’s the colours, the purple with the rocks – the red rocks and blue skies – it’s the perfect Pilbara colours,” she said.

In her submission, Ms Howes said the mulla mulla was beautiful from a distance but up close was truly spectacular.

“To me it echoes the understated beauty and richness of the Pilbara region which is only revealed upon taking a closer look,” she said.

“Mulla Mulla provides such a spectacular display of colour that seems to come out of nowhere.”

Greening Australia program manager Mike Clark said a representative floral emblem would create a sense of identity, place and pride.