Desert heath myrtle.

Desert heath myrtle.

Park closure

Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park will be closed until 2 pm on Thursday 25 June and all day on Friday 26 June due to a funeral and memorial service following the passing of a senior Aṉangu woman. Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park will re-open at 6.30 am on Saturday 27 June.

More information: Park closures on 25 and 26 June 2026 due to Sorry Business

Desert heath myrtle, or pukaṟa, is a small woody shrub that forms dense stands on the slopes of sand dunes.

Pukaṟa have small compact leaves with no stems and produce small white and pink flowers in winter.

Culture

On winter mornings, Aṉangu women would beat pukaṟa bushes over a wooden bowl to collect the dew, which contained sweet nectar.

Scientific name

Thryptomene maisonneuvei

Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara name

pukaṟa