The Proteaceae family has nearly 1,800 species worldwide - with 1,100 found in Australia.

Drumsticks (Isopogon genus) and Conesticks (Petrophile genus) have about 35 and 60 species respectively - and all are only found in Australia.

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Drumsticks, as with many Australian native plants, are mainly found in Western Australia.

PlantNET lists seven Drumsticks found in NSW. These are -

• Isopogon anemonifolius (Broad-leaf Drumsticks)
• Isopogon anethifolius (Narrow-leaf Drumsticks)
• Isopogon dawsonii (Nepean Conebush)
• Isopogon fletcheri* (Fletcher's Drumsticks)
• Isopogon mnoraifolius
• Isopogon petiolaris
• Isopogon prostratus (Prostrate Cone-bush)

* - threatened species; only found near Blackheath.

All species are found in the Greater Sydney/Blue Mountains except for I. mnoraifolius which is found around Grafton.

All Isopogon species are protected.

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Broad‑leaf Drumsticks (Isopogon anemonifolius) is readily identified by its flat fork like leaves.

Its younger leaves become red in the cooler months, and this gives each flower a sensational red and green surround.

The 15mm wide flowers appear in spring and summer, and can be found along the New South Wales coast and adjacent ranges.

The lizard sun-bathing is a Mountain Dragon.

These photos were taken in the upper Blue Mountains.

Here's some more images.

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Narrow‑leaf Drumsticks (Isopogon anethifolius) has a similar, but slightly larger flower to the Broad-leaf Drumsticks.

However, its radial needle shape leaves distinguish it from its sibling.

Flowering in spring, the Narrow-leaf Drumsticks can be found on the coast and ranges from Sydney south to Batemans Bay.

Its flowers are up to 25mm wide, and the plant is up to 3 metres high and is "leggy".

These photos were taken in the Lane Cove National Park.

Here's some more images.

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As with Drumsticks, Conesticks are mainly found in Western Australia.

The female Gang-gang cockatoo was really getting stuck into this Conestick. Its mate was watching.

PlantNET lists four Conesticks found in New South Wales. These are -

• Petrophile canescens
• Petrophile pedunculata (Stalked Conesticks)
• Petrophile pulchella (Conesticks)
• Petrophile sessilis (Prickly Conesticks)

All species are found in the Greater Sydney/Blue Mountains.

All Petrophile species are protected.

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Conesticks (Petrophile pulchella), although similar to Narrow-leaved Drumsticks, is best identified by its cone shaped fruit.

The Conesticks shrub is leggy and regularly grows over 2 metres in height.

Despite its appearance the Conesticks leaves are soft to the touch.

The 15mm wide Conesticks flower in summer, and can be found along the NSW coast and adjacent ranges.

These photos were taken in the upper Blue Mountains and the Lane Cove National Park.

Here's some more images.

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Stalked Conesticks (Petrophile pedunculata), although similar to Conesticks above, has different leaves and flowers.

The leaves come out from the stem at a greater angle than with Conesticks, but not at right angles as with Petrophile sessilis.

The flower is also a brighter yellow and glabrous (no hairs). However the greatest difference, and the source of its botanic and common name, is the peduncle or stalk which is much longer than other Conesticks.

Its 15mm wide flowers appear in early summer. Stalked Conesticks can be found on the coast and ranges from Sydney south to Marulan.

These photos were taken in the upper Blue Mountains.

Here's some more images.