Mountain Devil p3130480 image 80KB
Banksias & Grevilleas
and other members of the Proteaceae family of the
Blue Mountains National Park
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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.

Banksias

Hairpin Banksia
Heath Banksia
Old Man Banksia
Silver Banksia
Grevilleas

Bog Grevillea
Juniper Grevillea
Laurel-leaf Grevillea
Pink Spider Flower
Rosemary Grevillea
Drumsticks &
Conesticks

Broad-leaf Drumsticks
Conesticks
Stalked Conesticks
Hakeas

Dagger Hakea
Finger Hakea
Other genera

Mountain Devil
Mountain Geebung
Mountain Symphionema
NSW Waratah
Sprawling Smoke-bush
Variable Smoke-bush

Other attractions of the Blue Mountains National Park

Grose Valley pb160350 image 75KB

The Grose Valley lies to the east of Blackheath. It has been carved by the Grose River and Govetts Creek.

Mt. Banks and Mt. Hay - 1058m and 944m respectively tower over the valley.

The Blue Gum Forest is at the junction of the Grose River and Govetts Creek. It is this forest where, in 1931, conservation of the Blue Mountains began.

Banksias - also see our Banksias web page.

Select the thumbnail image to see the full image.

Heath Banksia image p9010441 178KB
Heath Banksia
Banksia ericifolia
Orange candle like cones in Autumn with Rosemary like leaves.
Also see our Heath Banksia web page.
Silver Banksia image p6050615 152KB
Silver Banksia
Banksia marginata
It gets its name from the underside of its leaves which are white and shine in the sun.
Also see our Silver Banksia web page.
Old Man Banksia image p2050368 126KB
Old Man Banksia
Banksia serrata
Distinctive cream cones in summer with serrated leaves - all growing on wonderfully gnarled trees.
Also see our Old Man Banksia web page.
Hairpin Banksia image p5270596 196KB
Hairpin Banksia
Banksia spinulosa
Flowering in autumn and winter, its hook-like styles (hairpins) come in black, purple, red, orange and yellow.
Also see our Hairpin Banksia web page.

Grevilleas - also see our Spider Flowers web page.

Bog Grevillea image p9250312 112KB
Bog Grevillea
Grevillea acanthifolia ssp. acanthifolia
This distinctive toothed grevillea with its red branches flowers in hanging swamps in spring.
[Note: The name "Bog Grevillea" is not commonly accepted.]
Laurel-leaf Grevillea image pc030487 135KB
Laurel-leaf Grevillea
Grevillea laurifolia
This stunning crimson ground-cover has a natural occurring hybrid with Grevillea acanthifolia (see left) that is known as Grevillea x gaudichaudii.
Pink Spider Flower iamge pc200278 86KB
Pink Spider Flower
Grevillea sericea
This delightful scrub (to 2 metres) produces vibrant pink flowers in spring.
Also see our Spider Flowers web page.
Rosemary Grevillea image p9250184 86KB
Rosemary Grevillea
Grevillea rosmarinifolia
Identified by its Rosemary like recurved leaves, it flowers in spring.
Juniper Grevillea image pc090363 101KB
Juniper Grevillea
Grevillea juniperina
Also called the Spiky Red Spider Flower.
There are seven identified subspecies; the one shown here is most probably ssp. trinervis - identified by its Blue Mountains location, its red colour and the width of its leaves - > 1mm.

Drumsticks & Conesticks - also see our Drumsticks & Conesticks web page.

Broad-leaf Drumsticks image pa130046 130KB
Broad-leaf Drumsticks
Isopogon anemonifolius
The Drumstick's leaves become red in the cooler months, giving each flower a sensational red and green surround.
Conesticks image p1250368 91KB
Conesticks
Petrophile pulchella
Although looking needle like, its leaf are soft. Its cones are more oval than the Drumstick.
Stalked Conesticks image p9010426 149KB
Stalked Conesticks
Petrophile pedunculata
Where the leaves of the Conesticks generally all point upwards, the leaves of the Stalked Conesticks point every which way.

Hakeas.

Dagger Hakea image pc050240 130KB
Dagger Hakea
Hakea teretifolia
Arguably the most prickly customer in the bush. Its leaves are hard and sharp. It's named after the shape of its fruit (seed pod). It has white flowers in summer.
Finger Hakea image pc050233 91KB
Finger Hakea
Hakea dactyloides
Also called the Broad-leaved Hakea, it is identified from other Hakeas by its leaves - which are flat and have three veins. It flowers in spring.

Other genera of the Proteaceae family.

NSW Waratah image pa100095 139KB
NSW Waratah
Telopea speciosissima
The floral emblem of New South Wales.
The crimson flowers appear in spring and are 15cm in diameter. Truly magnificent.
Also see our NSW Waratah web page.
Mountain Symphionema image pb160338 86KB
Mountain Symphionema
Symphionema montanum
There are only two species in this genera - both endemic to NSW. It is identified by its "ternate" leaves (leaves divided into three). The name "Mountain Symphionema" is not widely used.
Mountain Devil image p3130480 80KB
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.
Variable Smoke-bush image pa080024 101KB
Variable Smoke-bush
Conospermum taxifolium
The Conospermum flower identifies the genus - it has a three pronged bottom lip.
C. taxifolium is distinguished from C. ericifolium by its wider leaves - > 1mm.
Sprawling Smoke-bush image pa100043 80KB
Sprawling Smoke-bush
Conospermum tenuifolium
The long stems emerge from, what looks like, a patch of long grass. The flowers are a lilac colour and appear in spring.
Mountain Geebung image pc080120 131KB
Mountain Geebung
Persoonia chamaepitys
This is a prostrate geebung. Its light green pine-like leaves identifies it. It flowers in summer.