Blue Mountains National Park wildflowers - Boronias, Guinea Flowers & Heaths

Boronias, Guinea Flowers & Heaths of the
Blue Mountains National Park

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Boronias, Guinea Flowers & Heaths
Family Rutaceae, Genus Hibbertia & the Family Epacridaceae

Family Rutaceae includes the Boronia, Correa, Leionema, Phebalium and Zieria, and also includes citrus fruit.

A principal factor in identifying Guinea Flowers is the number and position of their stamens and carpels. For example the Blue Mountains Guinea Flower has about 16 yellow stamens and two green carpels.

The Family Epacridaceae (Southern Heaths) have recently been absorbed into the Family Ericaceae (Northern Heaths).
Northern Heaths includes Rhododendrons and Azaleas.

Family Rutaceae

Pale Pink Boronia
Small Leaved Boronia
Stiff Boronia
Sydney Boronia

Alpine Phebalium
Rough Wax Plant
Wax Flower

Guinea Flowers

Brown Guinea Flower
Erect Guinea Flower
Leafy Guinea Flower
Thyme Guinea Flower

Heaths

Blunt-leaf Heath
Coral Heath
Daphne Heath
Fuchsia Heath
Lance Beard-heath
Necklace Heath
NSW Coral Heath
Pink Swamp Heath
Prickly Broom Heath
Red Five Corners
Snow Wreath

Other attractions of the Blue Mountains National Park

Although hanging swamps are fairly common in the Blue Mountains, they are a fragile eco-system and are vulnerable.

Hanging swamps are formed when small and gentle watercourses become "clogged" by native vegetation and leaf litter.

They can be kilometres in length and take up the best part of a small valley.

They frequently end in waterfalls like the one shown here.

Select the thumbnail image to see the full image.

Family Rutaceae

Boronias - as with other members of the family, the fragrance comes from the oil in the leaves.

Small Leaved Boronia Boronia microphylla Flowering in spring and summer, the shape of its leaves characterise this small plant. Here's another image.	Stiff Boronia Boronia rigens Tiny white flowers barely 5mm across, and usually not fully opened, help identify this plant. However, one needs to look closely to see the 8 stamens which characterise Boronias. Here's another image.	Sydney Boronia Boronia ledifolia Flowering in late winter through spring, its stems are a rusty colour. It's sepals help identify it. It is also known as the Ledum Boronia. Here's another image.
Pale Pink Boronia Boronia floribunda Producing a mass of soft pink to white flowers in spring and early summer. This image shows a close up of the flower and the distinctive leaves.

Other genera of the family Rutaceae

Alpine Phebalium Phebalium squamulosum ssp. ozothamnoides
The fine detail of this beautiful spring flowering shrub is best seen close up.

Wax Flower Philotheca obovalis
Previously known as Eriostemon obovalis, it is easily identified by its warty heart shaped leaves - although only warty on the underside.
The flowers are 20 mm wide and appear in Spring.

Rough Wax Plant Philotheca hispidula
Its 25mm long leaves that have rough edges ("glandular-crenate") and a bent tip ("mucronate") identify it.
Previously known as Eriostemon hispidulus.
Here's another image.

Heaths - family Ericaceae

NSW Coral Heath Epacris pulchella Flowering from late summer to early Autumn with usually white flowers, but occasionally light pink, characterise this stunning plant.	Pink Swamp Heath Sprengelia incarnata Flowering in winter and spring, the second layer of five petals are sepals.	Coral Heath Epacris microphylla Flowering in spring, it has tightly grouped 3mm wide flowers that cover the erect branch. Here's another image.
Snow Wreath Woollsia pungens Flowering in late winter, its 10mm wide flowers have a strong fragrance. Also recognised by the ripples on its petals.	Fuchsia Heath Epacris reclinata This plant can be found in shade or full sun rooted into rock crevices. Its 15mm long flowers appear from mid winter through to early summer.	Blunt-leaf Heath Epacris obtusifolia A hardy plant that thrives in exposed heath. Identified by the blunted tip to its leaves.
Daphne Heath Brachyloma daphnoides Its name is due to the fragrance of the flowers. The red tip of its leaves helps identify it.	Necklace Heath Dracophyllum secundum This spring flowering heath is easily recognised by its red flower stem and leaves. Each flower is about 10mm in length.	Red Five Corners Styphelia tubiflora Its red flowers make this plant stand out in winter. The flowers are 20mm long, and the pointy leaves are sharp.
Lance Beard-heath Leucopogon lanceolatus The radiating lance shaped leaves with 3 to 5 prominent veins identifies this plant, as does the spikes of flowers in spring, and the tell-tale hairy mouth of the Leucopogons.	Prickly Broom Heath Monotoca scoparia Identified by the veins under its pointed leaves and that its flowers don't have a beard like the Leucopogons. Here's another image.

Guinea Flowers - genera Hibbertia, family Dilleniaceae
The name Guinea Flower comes from the gold guinea coin.

Erect Guinea Flower Hibbertia riparia This small Guinea Flower is common in the Upper Blue Mountains. It is identified by its 4 yellow stamens, 2 green carpels and leaves having two grooves running along their lower surface.	Brown Guinea Flower Hibbertia rufa Easily identified by its browny-red stem and glossy leaves. It has 4 stamens and 2 carpels.	Thyme Guinea Flower Hibbertia serpyllifolia It has 12 stamens and 3 carpels, but is best identified by its 5mm narrow recurved warty leaves. I imagine it gets its name from the similarity its leaves have to the younger leaves of the Common Thyme.
Leafy Guinea Flower Hibbertia monogyna It has 10-12 stamens and 1 carpel, but is best identified by its recurved point at the end of the leaves - as more clearly shown in this image.