I thought I recognised this plant from a distance as it looks very like the Montbretia we see in the UK and which also escapes onto grass verges. It is in fact an alien, native to Cape Province in South Africa and like many plants which have invaded Australia thrives in the similar climate.

Roadside verge near Margaret River 23rd August 2007

Added on 15th May 2008, updated 14th March 2010, updated 5th July 2014