This collection includes the flora families of the less dominant species of plants found in the Blue Mountains.
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.
Pink Flannel Flower (Actinotus forsythii)
Smaller Families - but certainly not lesser.
This set of wildflowers is "simply" those that belong to smaller floral families - of which there are over 180 families with over 2,000 species in the Blue Mountains. This includes over 600 "introduced species" (weeds).
The largest family is the grasses - Family Poaceae - with over 280 species (including 100 weeds). However, this website doesn't cover this family - yet.
Next is the Family Asteraceae (daisies) with over 220 species (including 70 weeds).
Besides flannel flowers, this family includes carrots and celery and a host of herbs such as parsley, coriander and fennel.
Also see our Flannel Flowers web page.
Actinotus genus - Flannel Flowers
There's 5 Actinotus species in NSW, 4 of which can be found in the Blue Mountains. The 5th, the Clustered Flannel Flower (Actinotus paddisonii), is found out west around Bourke.
Also known as the Ridge Flannel Flower, this uncommon flower only appears in the season following bush fires.
The flowers are 20mm in diameter.
Here's another image and another.
An uncommon tiny spreading plant that seems to only appear the year after bushfires - similar in behaviour to the Pink Flannel Flower.
Its flowers are about 10mm across.
Here's another image and another.
Its felt like petals tipped in the softest pale green make this a favourite of many.
The forked hairy green leaves help identify it when not in flower.
The flowers are 50mm in diameter.
Here's another image.
A leggy small plant with flowers up to 12mm across. Like its siblings, it doesn't have petals, the petal-like part are bracts.
It seems to always be in flower.
Platysace genus
The Platysace genus is endemic to Australia with 22 species overall of which 4 can be found in the Blue Mountains.
Its white/creamy/sometimes pinkish flowers are in umbels* and its petals have a ridge in the middle. Its leaves are variable.
* An umbel is where flower-stalks arise from one point at the top of a stalk.
Also known as the Shrubby Platysace.
The mountain heath form has broad leaves. A form found in the Lane Cove National Park has lance like leaves.
Here's another image.
Flowering in Autumn, Carrot Tops is best identified by the bouquet of tiny (3mm across) flowers at the end of a long and oblique stalk.
Its long thin leaves also helps identify it.
Xanthosia genus
The Xanthosia genus is endemic to Australia with 20 species overall with 6 found in the Blue Mountains.
Its flowers readily identify the genus, while the lobed leaves help identify the species.
This small plant is recognised by its hairy variable leaves and creamy-white flowers.
This image shows the underside of the leaves.
Here's another image and another and another.
This threatened species is only found on cliff faces in the upper Blue Mountains as shown here.
Its white flaky stems helps identify it.
Here's another image and another.
Parsonsia species are distinguished from Marsdenia species by their flowers being in a panicle* and not an
umbel.
The leaves of P. straminea are finely reticulated.
[* panicle: a compound inflorescence with a main axis and lateral branches which are further branched.]
This species appears to have variable leaves and an evolving set of subspecies.
This image shows its flowers and a leaves.
This image shows its pinnate leaves.
This image shows its developed fruit.
A tall leggy shrub, that has a baffling appearance when young - see this image. This image was taken a full year before the flowering image.
Its broad leaves can be 20cm long and 8cm wide. The flowers are 4mm wide.
Its light green petals distinguish it from A. longifolia whose petals are whitish.
Family ASTERACEAE
The daisy family (Asteraceae) comprises around 24,000 species distributed worldwide - making it the second largest family of flowering plants in the world after the Orchidaceae (orchids) family's 25,000. They include many horticultural plants (e.g. chrysanthemum, gerbera) and crops (e.g. artichoke, lettuce, stevia, sunflower).
[source: Kew Gardens]
PlantNet shows 970 species in Australia with 225 in the Blue Mountains - a third of these being weeds.
Genus Olearia
There's 59 Olearia species in NSW, of which 16 are in the Blue Mountains.
Recognised by its toothed ovate leaves that also have a small mucro.
[mucro: a short point at the end of a leaf.] Its leaves are around 40mm long and 20mm wide.
Here's another image and another.
Easily identified by its curly leaves the Rough Daisy-bush grows from the Blue Mountains to the Moss Vale district.
Here's another image of its leaves.
Prolific and spreading - best describes this plant. It's a native of North America and flowers in late spring and into summer. It's found along railway lines and roadsides.
Its mostly papery whorls of bracts help identify it.
The flower on the left of this image is almost ready to release its seeds.
Here's an image of its leaves.
This highly invasive weed from South Africa is toxic to cattle and horses if eaten.
Its 13-15 ray florets (petals) differentiates it from the native Fireweed Groundsel (Senecio linearifolius) that has 4-8.
Here's another image.
This weed from Europe, could be confused with the Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), but its prickly leaves on its flower stems identifies it.
As does its unique often pinnatisect (cut down to the midrib) leaves.
Identified by its 4-8 ray florets (petals) and the tertiary venation (veins) discernible on the underside of its cobwebby dentate leaves.
N.B. There are 23 Senecio species in the Blue Mountains - several without a description or identification key on PlantNet.
PlantNET notes that "Coronidium scorpioides is the most common and widespread member of the complex".
It is identified by its 30mm wide flowers and a rosette of 90mm long hispid (bristly) leaves each with a mucro.
Identified by its basal leaves and dandelion-like flowers.
Also known as Catsear, its cypsela (dry single-seeded fruit) is typical of most members of the Asteraceae family.
A tall plant - by daisy standards - it can be 80cm high. This, and its sessile (stalkless) toothed leaves and white 15-20mm wide flowers help identify it.
Here's an image with a pollinator - a hover fly.
Formerly Pratia purpurascens, this delightful little plant with a self explanatory name.
The undersides of its leaves are purplish. Its 10mm flowers appear in the warmer months.
Pincushion is an ornamental annual from southern Europe. Its flowers are from white to dark-purple.
It ranks as one of South Australia's most commonly recorded weeds.
It has distinct leaves.
Here's an image of it from underneath.
Distinguished from other members of the family by its 4 or more stigmatic lobes - these are the yellow ridges in the centre of the flower in this image.
The two large sepals also help identify it.
Here's another image.
Its large white flowers - 45mm across - with recurved edges and acute bracteoles help identify this twining plant.
Also occurs in pink or with pink tinges.
Here's another image and another.
Family CUNONIACEAE
There's seven members of the Cunoniaceae family in our Blue Mountains Area of Interest.
A unique plant - with its pink flowers hanging down and its six leaves radiating from the stem. It flowers in spring and summer and prefers sheltered
damp embankments. It is also known as the Dog Rose.
Here's another image and another.
With flowers that resemble some of those of the acacia family, this beautiful tree grows over 10 metres high along watercourses. It flowers in spring.
Here's another image.
This image shows its dramatic new growth.
Distinguished at any time by its trifoliate jagged leaves, this tall shrub bursts into colour in summer.
However, the NSW Christmas Bush produces white flowers - as shown here with its pollinators. It's its sepals that turn to red in fruit.
The Forked Sundew has 2, 4 or 8 "branches" that have glandular hairs that trap insects.
It bears white 10mm wide flowers in summer - whose long stems could be mistaken for belonging to another plant.
Found in damp and wet areas, its pink flowers and spatula shaped leaves help identify it.
Family ELAEOCARPACEAE
Genus Tetratheca - Black-eyed Susans
Genus Tetratheca formerly belonged to the Tremandraceae family. This family has now been absorbed into the Elaeocarpaceae family.
The NSW Flora Online describes some 14 species that occur in New South Wales. The species are collectively called Black-eyed Susans, and their similarity to each other provides a real challenge in identifying them.
Identified by its recurved, slightly hairy leaves with tubercles (bumps) on the edges and tapered at the end. The leaf is not that dissimilar to that of Banksia ericifolia (except for the tapering at the end).
Similar to Tetratheca ericifolia but without the hairs and tubercles. Interestingly, its red branchlets are not mentioned in references.
Genus Elaeocarpus
There are 9 species in NSW with 3 in the Blue Mountains. Although they all have "blueberry" in their common name, they are not part of the blueberry family. Blueberries are members of the Heath family.
Distinguished from E. kirtonii and E. reticulatus by is shorter leaves (3-7cm) and its pubescent (hairy) under surface of its leaves. It flowers in late spring.
Here's a close-up image of its flowers and an image of its berries.
Easily recognised when in flower by its delightful fringed 10mm wide flowers - which although usually white, trees with pink flowers can be found.
(This pink variant was found in Jervis Bay.)
The plants I have found in the Blue Mountains have been near the edge of north facing cliffs.
The female flower is surrounded by several male flowers. The female flower opening first and having a thicker stalk.
Here's another image and another.
Family GOODENIACEAE
There's six genera of the Goodeniaceae family in the Blue Mountains totalling over thirty species.
Genus Dampiera
There's three Dampiera species recorded as being in the Blue Mountains. The one missing from my collection is Purple Beauty Bush (Dampiera adpressa).
Distinctive, mainly due to its colour. Also identified by its diamond shaped leaves. Flowering most of the year, but best in spring. Also see our Blue Dampiera web page.
Here's an image of a white variant.
Sometimes referred to as the Variable-leaved Goodenia, it is distinguished from the other two subspecies by its leaves which have two distinct lobes and glandular hairs.
Here's another image.
Distinguished from the other two subspecies by its
leaves which have neither lobes nor teeth.
The leaves of the subsp. eglandulosa have prominent teeth and no glandular hairs.
Here's another image.
Its initial growth is dangerously disguised as a broad-leaf weed, but once its flowers reveal it is a Goodenia, then its 5-10cm long and 2cm wide toothed sessile* leaves identifies it.
Here's another image.
Also known as the Purple Fan-flower, its distinctive flowers help identify this climber. Its distinguished from other species in this genera by its narrow leaves and flowers on stalks.
Here's images from side on and underneath.
Here's another image.
It was previously called Purple Goodenia (Goodenia barbata).
Its flowers are 15mm wide, and its recurved leaves are 20mm long and 2mm wide.
Here's an image showing a profile of its flower plus a pollinator.
Blue Pincushion is the only species in its genus and is endemic to Australia.
It is found in all states, and in NSW away from the coast.
Its flowers are 15mm across.
Its basal leaves help identify it.
Here's another image.
Family LOGANIACEAE
There are six species of the Mitrasacme genus (the Mitreworts) in NSW - five of which are probably found in the Blue Mountains.
The orange flower bud is shaped like a bishop's hat - which is called a mitre - thus its name.
Missing from the gallery below are M. alsinoides, M. paludosa and M. pilosa.
The easiest of the Mitrewort siblings to identify - due to its negligible pedicel (stalk).
[The botanical word for this is "sessile".]
Its flowers are 6mm wide; its leaves are 6mm long and 2mm wide.
Identified by its multiple flowers, it is also leggier (at 25cm) than its siblings.
It has very hairy branches and leaves.
This image shows the multiple flowers.
Often seen high in eucalypts as its foliage is more dense and the leaf colour doesn't quite match.
Its flowers are spectacular and very different to its host.
This endangered parasitic species is a member of the mistletoe family and is only found in the Blue Mountains.
It's a bush to 2 metres in height.
Its 12mm long fruit matures from yellow to
crimson.
Family MALVACEAE
The Malvaceae family includes cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) and the Hibiscus genus.
There's some 25 species of the Malvaceae family in the Blue Mountains across 12 genera including several native hibiscus species.
The distinctive flowers help identify it.
Its narrow leaves are about 10mm wide.
L. ferrugineum var. cordatum has ovate leaves that are up to 40mm wide.
Here's another
image and another.
Its unique flowers immediately attract attention - especially under them.
The leaves (rusty underneath) help proclaim it as a Lasiopetalum species.
Here's another
image and another.
Family OLEACEAE
The Oleaceae family is also known as the olive family. It includes olive, jasmine, ash and lilac species.
There's some 13 species of the Oleaceae family in the Blue Mountains.
A tree to 9m high. Its distinctive flower spikes (racemes) with a dozen or more flowers help identify it.
Also noted are the conspicuous white lenticels - these are pores.
Privet trees go unnocied until they flower, then the profusion of flowers with their strong scent, followed by the thousands of berries highlight them.
Also know as Chinese Privet it's a native of Asia.
Family OROBANCHACEAE
Genus Euphrasia - Eyebrights
Formerly included in the Scrophulariaceae family, this semi-parasitic plant's common name of Eyebright refers to the plant's use in treating eye infections.
There's 11 Euphrasia species in NSW, of which 3 are in the Blue Mountains.
Euphrasia bowdeniae only grows in the Upper Blue Mountains, and is classed as vulnerable.
It can be distinguished from other members of the genus by its leaves which have one set of "teeth", and its upper leaves are toothless.
A tall plant to about 80cm high.
Its recurved sessile leaves that are up to 5cm in length identifies it from its siblings.
Here's an image from underneath.
A small plant to about 30cm high. Its recurved shiny leaves are 12-15mm long.
The flower-heads are held at the end of long branching stems and contain both male and female flowers.
The female flowers have red styles.
A small shrub whose shiny and hairy leaves are about 6mm long, and are often bent at the tip. The variety that has red male flowers (shown here) only occurs in the Sydney region.
Family PICRODENDRACEAE
Family Picrodendraceae was formerly part of the Euphorbiaceae family - see NSW Flora Online for more details.
At first glance it looks like a white dahlia.
(The dahlia is Mexico's national flower.)
Flowering in Spring, the flower head contains multiple flowers. The name Rice-flower Pseudanthus is not widely used.
A tree to about 8 metres in height, it has scores of white flowers in spring which progress to orange coloured berries by autumn.
Also see our Sweet Pittosporum web-page.
Identified by its thorns and rosettes of dark green leaves, this small shrub is restricted to the Blue Mountains region.
Flowering in summer, its flowers are 8mm across.
Here's another image.
A native of New Zealand.
Also known as Lemonwood due to the lemon fragrance of its crushed leaves.
Here's another image.
Family POLYGALACEAE
There are six species of this family in the Blue Mountains. One species is Polygala japonica, the other 5 belong to the Comesperma genus - of which C. retusum and C. volubile have so far alluded me.
Its wing sepals are 6mm across - compared to that of Fairies' Wings which are 2-3mm across.
Family RANUNCULACEAE
There's several thousand species in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) worldwide and includes Ranunculus (buttercups), Clematis, Delphinium (delphiniums) and Helleborus (hellebores) genera. (Personally it seems odd to have clematis and buttercups in the same family).
Genus Clematis
There's eight species of the Clematis genus in NSW with three in the Blue Mountains.
A spectacular vine when in full bloom.
Its flowers are 40mm across.
Its leaves have few teeth if any and its anther appendage is < 1mm - compared to Clematis aristata whose leaves are more serrated and an anther appendage > 1mm.
Its fruit has a
wispy tail to be taken by the wind.
Similar to the Headache Vine except for its serrated leaves and longer anther appendage.
Its sepals (not petals) seem to be wider and shorter.
Here's another image.
The Mountain Clematis is a native of the mountain areas of Asia. It's a garden escapee.
Its trifoliate leaves distinguish it from the other two Clematis species in the Blue Mountains. It is also deciduous.
Here's another image.
Genus Ranunculus (buttercups)
There's seven Ranunculus species recorded as being in the Blue Mountains with some 4-500 species worldwide.
As PlantNet notes, the Creeping Buttercup is often found forming lush growth in moist disturbed sites. It's a native of Eurasia.
Here's an image of its leaves.
Pomaderris plants are in bud for months before they bloom, and are also hard to distinguish from each other. I have deduced that the above specimen is Pomaderris andromedifolia, as its flowers are yellow and have
petals. Its
leaves are 30mm long, 10 mm wide, hairless above, but very felty below.
The name Andromeda Pomaderris is not widely used.
A tiny plant - its aged-looking branches making it look like a bonsai.
Its spine-like branches and 3mm long obovate leaves help identify it.
Its 3mm long flowers start out white, and then become pink, and eventually are a dusky pink with a "red centre".
Identified by its discolourous* and recurved leaves it is the only species of this genus in the Blue Mountains.
The images captured here are between flowering in November and maturing of the fruit in late summer. The flowers are white and the mature fruit is purple.
[* discolourous: coloured differently on the two surfaces.]
Also known as Sweet Sarsaparilla, this climber is identified by the three veins on its leaves. Its tiny flowers become black berries that are about 7mm across.
Also known as Lawyer Vine, this leggy scrambling vine has rose like thorns. Its oval shaped leaves are 30mm wide and 40mm long.
Here's another image and another.
Family STACKHOUSIACEAE
There are two species of this family in the Blue Mountains.
Its distinctive reddy-pale green tubular flowers identifies it. The tube is less than 5mm in length and the flowers appear singly or in small groups along the stem.
Here's another image.
Family STYLIDIACEAE
Genus Stylidium - Trigger-plants
There are 11 species of the Stylidium genus in NSW with 4 in the Blue Mountains. Although their flowers look similar, the different species are distinguished by their leaves.
The hammer-like trigger (column) is used to pollinate any insect that lands on the flower.
The easiest of the triggerplants to identify due to its crowded basal rosette of narrow leaves which are usually about 25mm long and only 1 mm wide.
Here's another image.
Identified by its sets of
leaves along its aerial branches. Younger plants are hard to distinguish from the Grass Trigger-plant.
The image shows a flower that has two triggers.
Found in sheltered and damp areas, it is a fairly common groundcover.
Its leaves are variable, and it is best identified by its white and purple flowers - which are 15mm wide.
Here's another image.
The genus is called Spade Flowers.
This species is also known as Lady's Slipper, and its multiple flowers on each stem, distinguishes it from H. vernonii.
Its 3cm wide flowers are glorious in close up. The linoides subspecies is a leggy plant and can be well over two 2 metres in height - and this can help identify it.
It is also known as Granny's Bonnet.
This easily identified plant is a uniform dull light green in colour. Its leaves are in two rows on opposite sides of the branch. Its small flowers are about 5mm across.
Also known as the Southern Sassafras, this winter flowering tree is found near water in sheltered gullies.
It is the only species in this genus.
Here's another image.
Bladderworts are carnivorous plants that take in and digest small organisms through their leaves. This species flower is 14mm wide and 9 mm deep. U. dichotoma is similar but has two flowers.
A sibling of the European herb St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum).
The flowers are about 1cm across and the leaves near the flowers are appressed.
The leaves further down are ovate, opposite and decussate.
Here's another image of the flower.
A delightful little annual that took some time to identify. Its pink flowers are 11mm across, and it can be identified from C. tenuiflorum by having a rosette.
Here's another
image.
The Native Passionfruit in flower looks like a passionfruit flower.
This image of its fruit also shows, circled in red, the glands on its petiole (leaf stalk).
Here's an image of a leaf.
Its umbel* helps identify it and distinguish it from other family members. This image shows the umbel. Here's another image.
Its flowers are 15mm wide.
[umbel* - flowers or flower stalks arise from one point.]
A leggy scrub to 3m ihigh with distinctive mint bush flowers.
Its narrow toothless leaves are less than 40mm in length.
Here's another image and another.
This little weed is exquisite in close up.
It's not stoloniferous - that is, its stems don't produce roots at its nodes.
Here's how in looks from a distance.
Also known as the Blue Pimpernel as it comes in red, pink, orange and blue.
Here's another
image and another.