(click images to see larger ones)
Lane Cove National Park Wildflowers
Banksias, Grevilleas, Geebungs & Hakeas
and other members of the Proteaceae family
Red Spider Flower
Family Proteaceae
Although the Family Proteaceae is "only" the fifth largest of the Australia flora in terms of the number of species, it boasts some of the most popular and well known - including the Waratah and Old Man Banksia.
The Grevillea genus, with over 350 species, is the third largest genus - after Acacia and Eucalyptus.
Many of the species below are very prolific in the Park.
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Banksias
Fern-leaved Banksia Hairpin Banksia Heath Banksia Old Man Banksia Silver Banksia Grevilleas Grey Spider Flower Pink Spider Flower Red Spider Flower White Spider Flower |
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Geebungs
Broad-leaved Geebung Lance Leaf Geebung Narrow-leaved Geebung Pine-leaved Geebung Hakeas Blacknose Bushy Needlebush Dagger Hakea Finger Hakea Hairy Hakea Willow-leaved Hakea |
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Other genera
Broad-leaf Drumsticks Conesticks Long Leaf Smoke Bush Mountain Devil Narrow-leaf Drumsticks NSW Waratah |
Other attractions of the Lane Cove National Park
Beginning and ending at Pennant Hills Park this 5 km loop takes in open heath, woodland and rainforest.
Some advice on the walk -
◊ It is best to walk in a clockwise direction as the track leading down to the Lane Cove River is very steep.
◊ There are some causeways that may be awash after heavy rain.
◊ Look out for "over enthusiastic" bicycle riders.
Having said all that, the walk is marvellous and most of the photos on these web-pages were taken on this track or on its many arteries. So take time and seek out the many floral delights on offer.
Our Proteaceae family Collection
Banksias - also see our Banksias web page.
Heath Banksia
Banksia ericifolia
Orange candle like cones in Autumn with Rosemary like leaves.
See also our Heath Banksia web page.
See also our Heath Banksia web page.
Silver Banksia
Banksia marginata
It gets its name from the underside of its leaves which are white and shine in the sun.
See also our Silver Banksia web page.
See also our Silver Banksia web page.
Old Man Banksia
Banksia serrata
Distinctive cream cones in summer with serrated leaves - all growing on wonderfully gnarled trees.
See also our Old Man Banksia web page.
See also our Old Man Banksia web page.
Fern-leaved Banksia
Banksia oblongifolia
Named after the brown underside of its leaves. Its 10cm flowers spikes appear in Autumn.
See also our Fern-leaved Banksia web page.
See also our Fern-leaved Banksia web page.
Hairpin Banksia
Banksia spinulosa
Flowering in autumn and winter, its hook-like styles (hairpins) come in black, purple, red, orange and yellow.
See also our Hairpin Banksia web page.
See also our Hairpin Banksia web page.
White Spider Flower
Grevillea linearifolia
Small white flowers in spring and summer in sheltered areas - especially near watercourses.
Its slender long leaves helps identify it.
Its slender long leaves helps identify it.
Grey Spider Flower
Grevillea buxifolia
Spring flowering and prolific in the Park.
Here's another image that shows its leaves.
Here's another image that shows its leaves.
Red Spider Flower
Grevillea speciosa
Magnificent crimson flowers in spring.
Here's another image that shows its leaves.
Here's another image that shows its leaves.
Narrow-leaf Drumsticks
Isopogon anethifolius
Flowering in spring, its narrow radiating spoke-like leaves characterise it.
Broad-leaf Drumsticks
Isopogon anemonifolius
Similar flower to the Narrow-leaf Drumstick but is more common. It is easily recognised by its flat radiating leaves which end in a trident like fork.
Conesticks
Petrophile pulchella
Although looking needle like, its leaves are soft. Its cones are more oval than the Drumstick.
There are about 150 species of Hakea - all endemic to Australia.
Their distinctive woody fruit (seed capsule) distinguishes them from the Grevillea genus. The fruit of the Hakea does not open until the branch supporting it dies.
An image of the fruit can be shown by clicking the word "fruit" in the respective text.
Bushy Needlebush
Hakea sericea
Apply named, the bare 5cm needle-like leaves, at right-angles to the branch, distinguishes it from other Hakeas. Also known as the Silky Hakea, its bumpy horned fruit is 3cm in length.
Finger Hakea
Hakea dactyloides
Also called the Broad-leaved Hakea, its broad veined leaves identify it. The flowers are around 15mm across and appear in spring.
The fruit does not have horns.
The fruit does not have horns.
Blacknose
Hakea propinqua
Appearing at first glance like a conifer, its red branchlets identify this early winter flowering Hakea. The name Blacknose, which is not widely used, refers to its warty fruit.
Hairy Hakea
Hakea gibbosa
This winter flowering Hakea is identified by hairy branches and new growth. Its hairy needle-like leaves are longer (8cm) than the Bushy Needlebush, and its fruit is smoother.
Also known as the Rock Hakea.
Also known as the Rock Hakea.
Dagger Hakea
Hakea teretifolia
Probably the most prickly shrub in the bush. Besides its sharp and firm 5cm long leaves, it is identified by its dagger shaped fruit.
It flowers in Summer.
It flowers in Summer.
Willow-leaved Hakea
Hakea salicifolia ssp. salicifolia
The Willow-leaved Hakea is a small tree to 5 metres tall. It is best identified by its spring flowers and its 25mm long fruit.
The leaves of ssp. salicifolia are >7 mm wide; whereas ssp. angustifolia's leaves are < 7mm.
The leaves of ssp. salicifolia are >7 mm wide; whereas ssp. angustifolia's leaves are < 7mm.
There are about 100 species of geebungs - all endemic to Australia.
Their distinctive bright yellow flowers and green grape like fruit helps identify them from other plants.
The word Geebung has been long immortalised in Banjo Paterson's poem The Geebung Polo Club.
Lance Leaf Geebung
Persoonia lanceolata
Identified by its lance like concolourous (same colour on both sides) leaves that are broader towards the tip.
Similar to P. glaucescens - but that species is restricted to the Picton/Berrima area.
Similar to P. glaucescens - but that species is restricted to the Picton/Berrima area.
Broad-leaved Geebung
Persoonia levis
Distinguished by its large smooth light green leaves, its golden flowers (10mm long) appear in late spring and are followed by light green balls of fruit.
Broad-leaved Geebung
Persoonia levis
This additional image is included to provide a close-up of the flower.
It is also called the Smooth Geebung, its younger branches are red.
It is also called the Smooth Geebung, its younger branches are red.
Pine-leaved Geebung
Persoonia pinifolia
Its soft pine-like leaves quickly leads to its identification. The leaves near the flowers are shorter, and near perpendicular to the stem.
Narrow-leaved Geebung
Persoonia linearis
The Narrow-leaved Geebung has broader longer leaves than the Pine-Leaved Geebung.
Mountain Devil
Lambertia formosa
Spot flowering throughout the year, but especially in the warmer months, its red flowers can be easily seen.
Also see our Mountain Devil web page.
Also see our Mountain Devil web page.
NSW Waratah
Telopea speciosissima
The magnificent floral emblem of NSW.
Waratah is aboriginal for "beautiful"; Telopea is Greek for "seen from afar".
Also see our Waratah web page.
Waratah is aboriginal for "beautiful"; Telopea is Greek for "seen from afar".
Also see our Waratah web page.
Long Leaf Smoke Bush
Conospermum longifolium ssp. longifolium
Yet another flower that is stunning in close-up. Each floret is around 15mm wide. This species is identified by its long paddle-like leaves.
The ssp. angustifolium's leaves are not wide towards the end.
The ssp. angustifolium's leaves are not wide towards the end.
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