Pink Swamp Heath p6250234 image 61KB
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

hanging swamp image p6050462 238KB

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 image p9090123
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 image p7300094
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 image p8310314
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 image pa240439
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 image p9230066
Alpine Phebalium
Phebalium squamulosum ssp. ozothamnoides
The fine detail of this beautiful spring flowering shrub is best seen close up.
Wax Flower image pa100072
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 image pa100131
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 image p2290085
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 image p6250234
Pink Swamp Heath
Sprengelia incarnata
Flowering in winter and spring, the second layer of five petals are sepals.
Coral Heath image p6240174
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 image p8310338
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 image p6250269
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 image p9190197
Blunt-leaf Heath
Epacris obtusifolia
A hardy plant that thrives in exposed heath. Identified by the blunted tip to its leaves.
Daphne Heath image pa100040
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 image p8050034
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 image p7300050
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 image p9100273
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 image p8220051
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 image p8230317
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 image pb010560
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 image pc070079
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 image p7300078
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.