Family:	Goodeniaceae
	Distribution:	Widespread in a range of habitats (principally open forest, woodland and sand dunes) in all Australian states and territories.
	Common Name:	Blue pincushion.
	Derivation of Name:	Brunonia; After Robert Brown (1773-1858), often regarded as the greatest British botanist of the 19th century who explored widely in Australia. australis; from Latin, australis, southern, referring to the geographical distribution of the species.
	Conservation Status:	Not considered to be at risk in the wild.

General Description:

Brunonia is a monotypic genus (ie. only a single species) which previously was classified in the family Brunoniaceae but is now regarded as being part of the family Goodeniaceae. It is therefore related to such well known genera as Lechenaultia, Goodenia and Scaevola.

As would be expected from its widespread distribution, Brunonia australis is rather variable in habit. It is a perennial herb, with a cluster of elliptical leaves at the base of the plant from which arise flowering stems to about 50 cm high. The leaves are about 10 cm long and the blue flowers occur in hemispherical clusters, usually in spring but sporadically extending through to autumn.

This is a very ornamental species that can be grown in most well drained soils in full sun or partial shade. Unfortunately, establishment can be difficult and it is not unusual for plants to die out after a year or two. However, seed propagation is not difficult and the plants can be treated as annuals.

Seed requires no particular pre-treatment prior to sowing and propagation can also be carried out by division of established plants.