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botanical glossary
Blue Mountains Wildflowers
Acacias & Pea Flowers
Members of the Fabaceae family

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which these plants grow - the Darug and Gundungurra people - and pay respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.

Acacias: overview - showcase
Pea Flowers: overview - showcase
Fabaceae Family
Sunshine Wattle Sunshine Wattle seedpod
(Acacia terminalis subsp. aurea)
The Fabaceae family has three subfamilies - Caesalpinioideae (senna genus), Faboideae (pea flowers) and Mimosoideae (acacia genus).

Looking at the acacia and peaflower flowers, one can't see the relationship - but the seedpods tell a different story.

There's 700 genera (18,000 species) in the Fabaceae family worldwide - with 180 genera (1,900 species) in Australia.

The Blue Mountains has over 270 species - including introduced species.

Acacias (Mimosoideae subfamily)
Sunshine Wattle Sunshine Wattle
(Acacia terminalis subsp. aurea)
There are an estimated 900 species of the Acacia genus in Australia. And this includes the Australian Floral Emblem, the Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) - which is not indigenous to the Blue Mountains.

The greater Blue Mountains has over 100 Acacia species.

Although the Acacia genus is by far the largest genus in the Mimosoideae subfamily, PlantNET lists a further nine genera in NSW. Of these only the introduced Crested Wattle (Paraserianthes lophantha subsp. lophantha) is found in the Blue Mountains.

Pea Flowers (Faboideae subfamily)
Sandstone Parrot-pea Sandstone Parrot-pea  (Dillwynia brunioides)
With over 1,100 species, the Pea Flower Faboideae subfamily is one of the largest in Australia. World wide there are some 12,000 species.

There are an estimated 160 species in the Blue Mountains including nearly 40 introduced species (weeds).

pea flower botany
Pea flowers have five petals -
Our Acacia Showcase

common name index


botanical name index

* Introduced species (weed)

Sunshine Wattle
Sunshine Wattle
Acacia terminalis
subsp. aurea
Although flowering for all except the summer months, it's in winter when it's at its best - bringing brilliant splashes of yellow to the bush.
This is the main subspecies found in the upper Blue Mountains.
Here's another image.
Sunshine Wattle
Sunshine Wattle
Acacia terminalis
subsp. angustifolia
Its pale yellow flowers distinguishes it from A. terminalis subsp. aurea.
Here's an image showing its leaves.
Here's another image.

NB. The Sunshine Wattle subspecies have been given temporary names while they are reviewed. I have retained the previous name for the present.


Swamp Wattle
Swamp Wattle
Acacia elongata
Its bright yellow flowers and long leaves with three longitudinal veins helps identify it.
It flowers from late winter into spring.
Here's another image.
Sweet Wattle
Sweet Wattle
Acacia suaveolens
Its sweet fragrance quickly identifies it when in flower.
Its strong red tinged leaves with a mucro at the end also announces it.
Here's another image.
Acacia ptychoclada
Acacia ptychoclada
The terete (long and cylindrical) sparsely hairy leaves with a mucro identifies this acacia, coupled with the white and red hairs on its peduncle (flower stalk).
It flowers in summer and autumn, and is found in swamps and next to watercourses in the Mid to Upper Blue Mountains.
Lunate-leaved Acacia
Lunate-leaved Acacia
Acacia lunata
Brilliant yellow flowers in spring, this wattle is identified by the 3-5 flowers in each globe, and the vein in its dull green leaves being off-centre.
Sydney Golden Wattle
Sydney Golden Wattle
Acacia longifolia subsp. longifolia
This spring flowering wattle is identified by two dominant veins in its long leaves (up to 20cm), and two or three less conspicuous ones.
Blackwood
Blackwood
Acacia melanoxylon
A medium size tree - growing to 30 metres, it is identified by the 3-5 or more longitudinal veins on its leaves.
Hedgehog Wattle
Hedgehog Wattle
Acacia echinula
By far the most prickly of similar species, this, and its brighter flowers and more pungent pointed leaves identify it.
Its phyllodes can be terete (cylindrical) or 4-angled as shown here.
It flowers from winter into spring.
Prickly Moses
Prickly Moses
Acacia ulicifolia
Earlier flowering (from April) and paler flowers helps identify Prickly Moses.
On closer inspection it has a marked gland angle and longer stipules.
Ploughshare Wattle
Ploughshare Wattle
Acacia gunnii
The smaller triangular leaves (around 5mm) help identify this little wattle.
It flowers from winter into spring.
Spike Wattle
Spike Wattle
Acacia oxycedrus
A small tree, with very sharp broad leaves. Stunning when in flower in early spring.
This image shows its opening buds and leaves.
Kangaroo Thorn
Kangaroo Thorn
Acacia paradoxa
Also called Hedge Wattle and was previously A. armata. Its thorns and leaves readily identify it.
This plant was found in Wollemi National Park.
Myrtle Wattle
Myrtle Wattle
Acacia myrtifolia
Flowering in late winter, it is identified by its broad red edged leaves. It is also known as the Red-stemmed Wattle.
This image shows its opening buds and red stem.
Acacia asparagoides
Acacia asparagoides

This small prickly plant is identified by its very short peduncles (stalks). It is an uncommon species and is only found in the Upper and mid Blue Mountains.
Its flowers are 10mm across and phyllodes (leaves) up to 15mm in length.
Here's another image and another.
Crested Wattle
Crested Wattle
Paraserianthes lophantha
subsp. lophantha
Introduced species (weed)
A native of Western Australia, the Crested Wattle is a tree to 8m in height.
Its leaves disguise it as a local native wattle, but its true identify is revealed when in flower.
Gordon's Wattle
Gordon's Wattle
Acacia gordonii
This endangered species is recognised by its bright yellow globular flowers. Its bunched leaves are different to Acacia echinula, and its longer peduncles (stalks) distinguishes it from Acacia baueri.
It is mainly found in the lower Blue Mountains. Here's another image.
Rush-leaved Wattle
Rush-leaved Wattle
Acacia juncifolia
Its long slender "reaching for the sky" leaves and dark yellow flowers highlight this acacia.
An often prominent longitudinal vein on its hairless leaves helps identify it.
Three-veined Wattle
Three-veined Wattle
Acacia trinervata
The three veins on its pungent pointed leaves identifies it.
It is mainly found in the lower Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury/Colo region.
Here's another image.
Cedar Wattle
Cedar Wattle
Acacia elata
The Cedar Wattle is a tall tree with dark brown rough bark.
The first set of its distinctive pinnate leaves are smaller than the rest.
It has a gland half way along its leaf stalk. This gland is known as a nectary and its nectar attracts pollinators.
Barradam-bang Wattle
Barradam-bang Wattle
Acacia meiantha
This endangered plant mainly reproduces by suckers - which most probably helped its recovery from the Black Summer bushfires.
It received its common name, which means "bright star" in the Wiradjuri language, in 2020.
Coast Myall
Coast Myall
Acacia binervia
The wide blue green leaves which have several distinct longitudinal veins identify this tall tree - and of course its beautiful cylindrical flowers.
Here's another image and another.

Our Pea Flower Showcase

common name index
* Introduced species (weed)


botanical name index
* Introduced species (weed)


Bossiaea genus

Sword Bossiaea
Sword Bossiaea
Bossiaea ensata
This low sprawling plant has no leaves. Its green keel, and the red at the back of the standard, is a good way to identify it - see large image. Its flat stems are 4-5mm wide; the flowers 10mm across.
Variable Bossiaea
Variable Bossiaea
Bossiaea heterophylla
Flowering in Autumn, this, plus its variable leaves and largish crimson keel identify it. The leaves vary on the plant and may be ovate or thin, and also vary in size.
Daviesia genus

Gorse Bitter Pea
Gorse Bitter Pea
Daviesia ulicifolia subsp. ulicifolia
This common pea flower is characterised by its sharp but flat leaves and sharp branches (spines). It flowers in spring.
Clustered Bitter-pea
Clustered Bitter-pea
Daviesia corymbosa
A stunning display of dark yellow and crimson pea flowers clustered together.
Winged Bitter Pea
Winged Bitter Pea
Daviesia alata
Its orange pea flowers and strap like leaves identify it. The flowers are 6mm wide.
Dillwynia genus

Sandstone Parrot-pea Sandstone Parrot-pea
Dillwynia brunioides

Sadly, this beautiful plant has no common name. The flowers are about 13mm wide and the warty leaves 7-8mm long.
Here's another image that shows the more usual spreading leaves.
Dillwynia elegans
Dillwynia elegans

The broad standard identifies it as a Dillwynia species. Dillwynia elegans is identified by its terete (cylindrical), glabrous (non-hairy) and warty leaves that have a point that is occasionally bent, and its glabrous calyx.
It was formerly called Dillwynia floribunda var. teretifolia.
Heathy Parrot Pea
Heathy Parrot Pea
Dillwynia retorta
Probably the most common Dillwynia, it is recognised by its twisted leaves
Here's another image showing it being eaten by what looks like a weevil.
[There's an estimated 80,000 beetle species in Australia.]
Gompholobium genus - Golden Glory Peas

There's 11 species of Gompholobium in NSW - 10 of which can be found in the Blue Mountains.

Large Wedge Pea
Large Wedge Pea
Gompholobium grandiflorum
Distinguished from its siblings by its sets of three heavily recurved leaves.
The flowers are 20mm wide.
Dainty Wedge Pea
Dainty Wedge Pea
Gompholobium glabratum
Its 10mm wide flowers have the most beautiful yellow colour. It is identified by its pinnate leaves and warty stems.
Here's another image.
Broad-leaf Wedge Pea
Broad-leaf Wedge Pea
Gompholobium latifolium
Identified by its broad leaves - well, broader than the Large Wedge Pea - and its ciliate (hairy) keel.
Growing up to 3 metres in height, it is the largest of the Wedge Peas.
Dwarf Wedge Pea
Dwarf Wedge Pea
Gompholobium minus
The apex (ends) of its leaves are strongly recurved (bent) and they have a point.
Its flowers are 7mm wide.
Red Wedge Pea
Red Wedge Pea
Gompholobium uncinatum
Its red-orange flowers and 3-foliolate recurved leaves help identify this small plant.
Here's another image.
Creeping Wedge-pea
Creeping Wedge-pea
Gompholobium inconspicuum
This small "inconspicuous" plant is identified by its prostrate form and warty stems.
Here's another image.
Hovea genus

There's 20 species of Hovea in NSW - 8 of which can be found in the Blue Mountains.

Common Hovea
Common Hovea
Hovea linearis
Flowering in late winter, this beautiful pea flower is also known as the Erect Hovea or Blue Bonnet. The latter being a delightful name.
Rusty Pods
Rusty Pods
Hovea longifolia
Identified by its very hairy sepals. Its narrow leaves are up to 8cm in length.
This image shows the distinctive underside of its leaves.
Here's another image of Rusty Pods.
Mirbelia genus

Heathy Mirbelia
Heathy Mirbelia
Mirbelia rubiifolia
The pink pea flowers and heavily "veined" leaves identify this delightful small plant.
The 10-20mm leaves are in threes along the stem.
Here's a white variant.
Large-flowered Mirbelia
Large-flowered Mirbelia
Mirbelia platylobioides
Historically called Mirbelia grandiflora it also exhibits the heavily veined leaves of its sibling to the immediate left.
The flower is 10-12mm wide.
Here's another image. [Note: The name "Large-flowered Mirbelia" is not commonly accepted.]
Mirbelia baueri
Mirbelia baueri

The flowers are 10mm long & wide. The plant shown here had upturned wings and was prostrate; its 8-10mm leaves were smooth with a ridge on the top.
Here's another image.
Pultenaea genus - Bush Peas

Rough Bush-pea
Rough Bush-pea
Pultenaea scabra
Identified by its squared-off leaves that have weak mucro, and the tell-tale stipules that characterises the Pultenaea genus.
[Stipules are the small leafy growth at the base of leaves.]
Halo Bush-pea
Halo Bush-pea
Pultenaea linophylla
A small scraggy plant whose spring flowers are about 6mm across and have a red keel.
Its leaves are 10mm long, have a down-turned tip and are hairy underneath.
It is also known as the Small-leaved Bush-pea.
Pultenaea canescens
Pultenaea canescens

Only found in the upper Blue Mountains, it is identified by its hairy concave leaves and yellow keel. Its bracteole is reddish brown which helps distinguish it from P. tuberculata (which has a red keel).
Phyllota genus

There's 4 species of Phyllota in NSW - 3 of which can be found in the Blue Mountains.

Dense Phyllota
Dense Phyllota
Phyllota squarrosa
Yet another stunning pea-flower. It is separated from its siblings by its yellow mucro (leaf tip).
Its elongated standard is 8mm high, and its leaf margins revolute (rolled-back).
Heath Phyllota
Heath Phyllota
Phyllota grandiflora
Its tall standard helps identify it as a Phyllota species.
The densely villous (hairy) calyx shows it to be P. grandiflora.
Here's another image.
other pea flower genera

Purple Coral Pea
Purple Coral Pea
Hardenbergia violacea
Easy to identify as it is most probably the only purple pea flower climber.
Its flowers are 8mm across. Commercially it is known as the Happy Wanderer.
Here's an image of its leaves.
Leafless Globe-pea
Leafless Globe-pea
Sphaerolobium minus
Differentiated from S. vimineum by its shorter wings that expose its keel, and having only a hint of red on some flowers, and none on most.
The flowers are barely 5mm wide and long.
Native Holly
Native Holly
Podolobium ilicifolium
Easily identified by its holly like leaves, it is also known as the Prickly Shaggy Pea. Shaggy Pea being the common name of the Podolobium genus.
Handsome Flat Pea
Handsome Flat Pea
Platylobium formosum
Recognised by the prominent veins on its ovate (round) leaves.
The back of the standard is red.
Australian Indigo
Australian Indigo
Indigofera australis subsp. australis
Found throughout Australia, its pink flowers and grey leaves help identify it.
Gorse
Gorse
Ulex europaeus
Introduced species (weed)
This declared noxious weed is identified by its very hairy keel and spines.
Dusky Coral Pea
Dusky Coral Pea
Kennedia rubicunda
Distinctive climber with dark red flowers and 3-foliolate leaves.
Here's another image.
African Scurf-pea
African Scurf-pea
Psoralea pinnata
Introduced species (weed)
A native of South Africa, it is identified by its light blue flowers and hairy and variable leaves.
It can grow to 5m in height.
Photo by Rosie
Scotch Broom
Scotch Broom
Cytisus scoparius
Introduced species (weed)
A native of Europe, it is also called English Broom or simply Broom.
Its five-ribbed branches identify it.
Here's another image.
Photo by Paul Vale
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