A sprawling mallee that grows to between 0.8 and 5 metres in height and is noted for its large flowers that are arguably the most spectacular of the flowering gums in Australia. The leaves can be a large 12cm long, 8cm wide and silver-grey in colour. The species name, macrocarpa, describes the nut and is derived from the Greek makros – large karpos – fruit. Flowering occurs from early spring to midsummer. It is native to Western Australia growing in a narrow band south from Geraldton nearly to Albany, mainly following the intersection of the very ancient Yilgarn Craton and the more recent Coastal Basin. Rose of the West is a very apt name.