Found along the coast, sleeping in ‘til midday – the rounded noon-flower is the chill dude of the bunch, surviving conditions other flowers would falter in. Just don’t tread on it – it's tolerant to salt, not feet!
This resilient, succulent groundcover, also known as rounded baby pigface or salty fingers, hugs the earth in a lush mat of green leaves that can blush red or yellow in dry spells. From September to February, its daisy-like neon pink-purple flowers sleep at night and reawaken at midday – a phenomenon known as Nyctinasty, giving the noon-flower its name.
You can spot the noon-flower among garden beds in North and West Melbourne, Westgate Park and fringing the Maribyrnong River and Moonee Ponds Creek. Before colonisation, it was abundant in coastal marshlands and brackish flats around the West Melbourne Swamp. It also would have lined the banks of the lower Yarra and Maribyrnong Rivers, cresting the beaches and dunes where Webb Dock is today.
This fast-growing perennial thrives in full to partial sun, well-drained soil and salty air. It’s great for pots, hanging baskets and as ground cover or soil stabiliser – you can even use it to green your roof. As versatile as it is reliable, its fruit and leaves can be eaten, fresh or cooked.
Coming soon
Another highly valued plant species for the Bunurong people with all parts of the rounded noon-flower seasonally edible. The fleshy foliage provides reliable sustenance with its leaves able to be eaten raw or cooked. For a sweet treat in summer, the ripened fruit is enjoyed. Gorgeous pink flowers attract our native pollinators, with bees and butterflies well supported by this plant. Much like an aloe vera plant, the leaves of the rounded noon-flower can be rubbed on insect bites, stings and burns to provide relief, soothe and calm the skin – handy to have when bubups are at play!
‘The rounded noon-flower is one of those quiet delights you often find hugging the ground along the coast. I love its juicy, succulent leaves and bright pink-purple flowers that open up in the sun. It’s hardy, low-growing, and unassuming - but full of colour and character. A beautiful reminder that small things can thrive in tough places.’
‘A coastal favourite, extremely hardy and an edible as the foliage contains moisture. This groundcover protects our sandier soils and is a favourite for our ground dwelling insects and pollinators. Can be grown in a variety of situations and pots.’
‘This plant is strong, soft and useful. The multicolored flower has a funny name and reminds me of sunshine. It opens in the warmth, is edible and is useful for binding soil together, much like the binding of Melbourne’s diverse communities.’
‘A widespread species across Melbourne landscapes which occurs in multiple vegetation communities including sand dunes, ephemeral wetlands, estuarine habitats. Could help tell the story of the extremely diverse habitats that occur across the Melbourne region, which is something I don’t think many people understand.’
'Visit Westgate Park for a really striking display of what this plant can look like at scale (en masse)!'
Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners
The City of Melbourne respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land we govern, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong / Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin and pays respect to their Elders past and present. We acknowledge and honour the unbroken spiritual, cultural and political connection they have maintained to this unique place for more than 2000 generations.
We accept the invitation in the Uluru Statement from the Heart and are committed to walking together to build a better future.
