Out of a group of 10 incredible native flowering plants, the flannel flower has been crowned Australia's most amazing wildflower for National Science Week 2026.

Flannel flower seeds can survive for decades in the soil in a dormant state, a trick that explains the plant's ability to suddenly pop up in places it hasn't been seen for decades.

Seed dormancy is found in all flannel flower species.

"They all have this weird dormancy mechanism that responds to a variety of cues," Dr Offord says.

For flannel flowers that bloom after bushfire, the cues are typically smoke from fire awakening the seeds, and then rain.

For the D'harawal people, the flannel flower, known as Talara'tingi, is linked to one of their most significant places...

"The story is that there was a time where children had not ever seen the Sun. A young girl, named Tiana travelled to a significant place and realised that the people had not been taking care of the country."

The story holds two important lessons: to remember the laws, protocols and need to look after country to ensure it is healthy, and to listen to the youth, who can also bring wisdom.

Hope and health was brought back to country and Tiana was gifted with the springing of the flannel flowers, shaped like a star and with leaves covered in a very fine type of fur that looks like frost.

Hence the name Talara'tingi, which means star of frost.

"The flowering of the flannel flower in the story indicated the ending of a long winter or maybe an ice age. Which gives an indication of how old this story truly is, and how long it's survived..."

The dew from the flannel flower, collected before dawn, is a D'harawal treatment for severe grief.