About Dampiera stricta (Sm.) R.Br.
Dampiera stricta is an erect, slender subshrub that reaches approximately 90 cm (35 in) in height. Its stems are ribbed, triangular in cross-section, and are either smooth or become smooth over time. The leaves of this species are variable in form; most are narrow-elliptic or lance-shaped, measuring 16–50 mm (0.63–1.97 in) long and 2–20 mm (0.079–0.787 in) wide. Leaves have either smooth or toothed margins and are sessile, meaning they lack a stalk. Flowers grow in the axils of leaves, either singly or in pairs, with the entire flower cluster reaching up to 3 cm (1.2 in) long. Flower stalks (pedicels) are 1–2 mm (0.039–0.079 in) long, and the small linear bracts are 2.5–3 mm (0.098–0.118 in) long. The corolla is 10–12 mm (0.39–0.47 in) long, and is blue to purple with a whitish centre. It has rusty-coloured hairs on the outer surface, with corolla wings 2–2.7 mm (0.079–0.106 in) wide; the upper petals are smaller than the lower petals. Sepals are 0.7–1.2 mm (0.028–0.047 in) long. Flowering occurs mostly from August to January. The fruit is rounded oblong in shape, 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long, ribbed, and covered in rusty-coloured hairs. Commonly called blue dampiera, this species is common and usually grows in open forest and heath on sandy, gravel or loamy soils. It occurs in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, along the Great Dividing Range and in coastal locations.
