Blue Mountains Wildflowers
Acacias & Pea Flowers
Members of the Fabaceae family
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which these plants grow - the Darug and Gundungurra people - and pay respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.
Note: Images marked as LCNP were taken in the Lane Cove National Park.
Fabaceae Family
Sunshine Wattle seedpod
(Acacia terminalis subsp. aurea)
Looking at the acacia and peaflower flowers, one can't see the relationship - but the seedpods tell a different story.
There's 700 genera (18,000 species) in the Fabaceae family worldwide - with 180 genera (1,900 species) in Australia.
The Blue Mountains has over 270 species - including introduced species.
Acacias (Mimosoideae subfamily)
Sunshine Wattle
(Acacia terminalis subsp. aurea)
The greater Blue Mountains has over 100 Acacia species.
Although the Acacia genus is by far the largest genus in the Mimosoideae subfamily, PlantNET lists a further nine genera in NSW. Of these only the introduced Crested Wattle (Paraserianthes lophantha subsp. lophantha) is found in the Blue Mountains.
A key to identifying acacias can be their glands. Acacia flowers do not have nectar. Their glands are known as a nectary and its their secretion that attracts pollinators.
The circular bumps on this image are the glands of a Silver Wattle.
Acacia groups
To simplify searches I have presented the Acacia species in four groups. If a species is in an earlier group, then it won’t be in a later group.
*bipinnate are a second set of leaves on a stem. The image above shows bipinnate leaves which are called pinnules.
Pea Flowers (Faboideae subfamily)
Sandstone Parrot-pea (Dillwynia brunioides)
There are an estimated 160 species in the Blue Mountains including nearly 40 introduced species (weeds).
Our Acacia Showcase
common name index
- Acacia asparagoides
- Acacia ptychoclada
- Barradam-bang Wattle
- Blackwood
- Blunt Leaf Wattle
- Box-leaved Wattle
- Coast Myall
- Crested Wattle *
- Flax-leaved Wattle
- Gordon's Wattle
- Heath Wattle
- Hedgehog Wattle
botanical name index
- Acacia asparagoides
- Acacia binervia
- Acacia brownii
- Acacia buxifolia subsp. buxifolia
- Acacia dealbata subsp. dealbata
- Acacia decurrens
- Acacia echinula
- Acacia elata
- Acacia elongata
- Acacia gordonii
- Acacia gunnii
- Acacia juncifolia
- Acacia linifolia
- Acacia longifolia subsp. longifolia
- Acacia lunata
- Acacia meiantha
- Acacia melanoxylon
- Acacia myrtifolia
- Acacia obtusifolia
- Acacia oxycedrus
- Acacia paradoxa
- Acacia ptychoclada
- Acacia rubida
- Acacia suaveolens
- Acacia terminalis subsp. angustifolia
- Acacia terminalis subsp. aurea
- Acacia trinervata
- Acacia ulicifolia
- Paraserianthes lophantha subsp. lophantha *
* Introduced species (weed)
Prickly Customers
Acacia asparagoides
This small prickly plant is identified by its very short peduncles (flower stalks).
It’s an uncommon species but can be found in the upper Blue Mountains.
Its flowers are 10mm across and its phyllodes are up to 15mm in length.
It flowers in early spring.
Here's another image and another.
It’s an uncommon species but can be found in the upper Blue Mountains.
Its flowers are 10mm across and its phyllodes are up to 15mm in length.
It flowers in early spring.
Here's another image and another.
Heath Wattle
Acacia brownii
The Heath Wattle has long needle like phyllodes that don’t broaden at the base.
The phyllodes can be up to 20mm long and there’s fewer of them.
Its bright yellow flowers appear in winter and spring.
The phyllodes can be up to 20mm long and there’s fewer of them.
Its bright yellow flowers appear in winter and spring.
Hedgehog Wattle
Acacia echinula
By far the most prickly of similar species, this, and its brighter flowers and more pungent pointed leaves identify it.
Its phyllodes can be terete (cylindrical) or 4-angled as shown here.
It flowers from winter into spring.
Its phyllodes can be terete (cylindrical) or 4-angled as shown here.
It flowers from winter into spring.
Ploughshare Wattle
Acacia gunnii
Also known as the Dog's Tooth Wattle its small triangular phyllodes are around 6‑8mm long and 2mm wide at the bend.
Its pale yellow flowers appear from winter into spring.
References mention that it is a very variable species.
Its pale yellow flowers appear from winter into spring.
References mention that it is a very variable species.
Spike Wattle
Acacia oxycedrus
A small tree to 3m in height with very sharp broad phyllodes that have several longitudinal veins.
Its cylindrical flower heads are 2-3cm long.
It’s stunning when in flower in spring and is more likely found in the lower Blue Mountains.
This image shows its opening buds.
Its cylindrical flower heads are 2-3cm long.
It’s stunning when in flower in spring and is more likely found in the lower Blue Mountains.
This image shows its opening buds.
Kangaroo Thorn
Acacia paradoxa
A paradox indeed. What look like leaves are its phyllodes, and what look like phyllodes
are spines.
Its bright yellow flowers are 10mm wide and appear in spring.
Although found in the Blue Mountains, these photos were taken in Wollemi NP.
Here's another image and another .
Its bright yellow flowers are 10mm wide and appear in spring.
Although found in the Blue Mountains, these photos were taken in Wollemi NP.
Here's another image and another .
Prickly Moses
Acacia ulicifolia
Earlier flowering (from April) and paler flowers helps identify Prickly Moses.
Its phyllodes are at right angles to the branch, hairy and have a marked gland angle and longer stipules (highlighted in yellow).
Its phyllodes are at right angles to the branch, hairy and have a marked gland angle and longer stipules (highlighted in yellow).
Bipinnate Wattles
Silver Wattle
Acacia dealbata subsp. dealbata
The Silver Wattle has blue-grey foliage and circular jugary glands.
(jugary - at the junction of pairs of bipinnate stems)
It’s a tree up to 30m in height and flowers from winter into spring.
It’s globular flowers are 10mm across.
(jugary - at the junction of pairs of bipinnate stems)
It’s a tree up to 30m in height and flowers from winter into spring.
It’s globular flowers are 10mm across.
Sydney Green Wattle
Acacia decurrens
The Sydney Green Wattle is a tall tree with green ridged trunk and branches.
It has jugary glands but no interjugary glands.
It flowers mainly in late winter and spring.
It has jugary glands but no interjugary glands.
It flowers mainly in late winter and spring.
Sunshine Wattle
Acacia terminalis
subsp. aurea
Although flowering for all except the summer months, it's in winter when it's at its best - bringing brilliant splashes of yellow to the bush.
This is the main subspecies found in the upper Blue Mountains.
Here's another image.
This is the main subspecies found in the upper Blue Mountains.
Here's another image.
NB. The Sunshine Wattle subspecies have been given temporary names while they are reviewed. I have retained the previous name for the present.
- A. terminalis subsp. aurea ➡ A. terminalis subsp. Bright yellow flower (M.Tindale NSW248078)
- A. terminalis subsp. angustifolia ➡ A. terminalis subsp. Glabrous form (M.Hancock 94)
Cylindrical Flower Heads
Sydney Golden Wattle
Acacia longifolia subsp. longifolia
Also known as Golden Rods, this spring flowering wattle is identified by two dominant
veins in its long phyllodes (up to 20cm) and a gland near their base.
The Long Leaf Gall Wasp creates galls on its flowers. Here's another gall image.
A. longifolia subsp. sophorae (Coastal Wattle) has shorter and wider phyllodes.
Here's another image and another.
The Long Leaf Gall Wasp creates galls on its flowers. Here's another gall image.
A. longifolia subsp. sophorae (Coastal Wattle) has shorter and wider phyllodes.
Here's another image and another.
Globular Flower Heads
Box-leaved Wattle
Acacia buxifolia subsp. buxifolia
The Box-leaved Wattle is differentiated from the Lunate-leaved Wattle by its many flowers in a globe.
Although found in the Blue Mountains, these photos were taken in Wollemi NP.
Although found in the Blue Mountains, these photos were taken in Wollemi NP.
Swamp Wattle
Acacia elongata
The Swamp Wattle has bright yellow flowers and long (sometimes curved) leaves that have three longitudinal veins that are often raised.
It has up to 40 flowers in a globe and flowers from late winter into spring.
Here's another image.
It has up to 40 flowers in a globe and flowers from late winter into spring.
Here's another image.
Gordon's Wattle
Acacia gordonii
This endangered species is recognised by its bright yellow globular flowers. Its bunched leaves are different to Acacia echinula, and its longer peduncles (stalks) distinguishes it from Acacia baueri.
It is mainly found in the lower Blue Mountains. Here's another image.
It is mainly found in the lower Blue Mountains. Here's another image.
Flax-leaved Wattle
Acacia linifolia
The Flax-leaved Wattle is identified by its narrow phyllodes and small flowers.
It has a prominent midvein and a mucro.
This leggy tree has less flowers per flower-head which prevents it from having the yellow spheres of the Sunshine Wattle.
Here's another image.
It has a prominent midvein and a mucro.
This leggy tree has less flowers per flower-head which prevents it from having the yellow spheres of the Sunshine Wattle.
Here's another image.
Barradam-bang Wattle
Acacia meiantha
This endangered plant mainly reproduces by suckers - which most probably helped its recovery from the Black Summer bushfires.
It received its common name, which means "bright star" in the Wiradjuri language, in 2020.
It received its common name, which means "bright star" in the Wiradjuri language, in 2020.
Blackwood
Acacia melanoxylon
A medium size tree - growing to 30 metres, it is identified by the 3-5 or more longitudinal veins on its
leaves.
Myrtle Wattle
Acacia myrtifolia
Flowering in late winter, it is identified by its broad red edged leaves.
This image shows its opening buds and red stem.
This image shows its opening buds and red stem.
Acacia ptychoclada
The terete (long and cylindrical) sparsely hairy leaves with a mucro identifies this acacia, coupled with the white and red hairs on its peduncle (flower stalk).
It flowers in summer and autumn, and is found in swamps and next to watercourses in the Mid to Upper Blue Mountains.
It flowers in summer and autumn, and is found in swamps and next to watercourses in the Mid to Upper Blue Mountains.
Red-stemmed Wattle
Acacia rubida
The Red-stemmed Wattle has reddy-brown stems and an off-centre vein on its phyllodes. The edge of its phyllodes is also reddy-brown.
Its most striking feature is its abundance of bipinnate leaves on mature growth.
Here's another image and another.
Its most striking feature is its abundance of bipinnate leaves on mature growth.
Here's another image and another.
Paraserianthes genus
The Paraserianthes genus only has one species, and it has two subspecies. Paraserianthes lophantha subsp. montana is a native of Western Indonesia.
Our Pea Flower Showcase
common name index
- African Scurf-pea *
- Australian Indigo
- Broad-leaf Wedge Pea
- Broom Bossiaea
- Clustered Bitter-pea
- Common Hovea
- Creeping Wedge-pea
- Dainty Wedge Pea
- Dense Phyllota
- Dillwynia elegans
- Dusky Coral Pea
- Dwarf Wedge Pea
- Gorse *
- Gorse Bitter Pea
- Halo Bush-pea
- Handsome Flat Pea
- Heath Phyllota
- Heathy Mirbelia
- Heathy Parrot Pea
- Large Wedge Pea
- Large-flowered Mirbelia
- Leafless Globe-pea
- Mirbelia baueri
- Native Holly
- Pultenaea canescens
- Purple Coral Pea
- Red Wedge Pea
- Rhombic Bossiaea
- Rough Bush-pea
- Rusty Pods
- Sandstone Parrot-pea
- Scotch Broom *
- Spiny Bossiaea
- Sword Bossiaea
- Variable Bossiaea
- Winged Bitter Pea
* Introduced species (weed)
botanical name index
- Bossiaea ensata
- Bossiaea heterophylla
- Bossiaea obcordata
- Bossiaea rhombifolia
- Bossiaea scolopendria
- Cytisus scoparius *
- Daviesia alata
- Daviesia corymbosa
- Daviesia ulicifolia subsp. ulicifolia
- Dillwynia brunioides
- Dillwynia elegans
- Dillwynia retorta
- Gompholobium glabratum
- Gompholobium grandiflorum
- Gompholobium inconspicuum
- Gompholobium latifolium
- Gompholobium minus
- Gompholobium uncinatum
- Hardenbergia violacea
- Hovea linearis
- Hovea longifolia
- Indigofera australis subsp. australis
- Kennedia rubicunda
- Mirbelia baueri
- Mirbelia platylobioides
- Mirbelia rubiifolia
- Phyllota grandiflora
- Phyllota squarrosa
- Platylobium formosum
- Podolobium ilicifolium
- Psoralea pinnata *
- Pultenaea canescens
- Pultenaea linophylla
- Pultenaea scabra
- Sphaerolobium minus
- Ulex europaeus *
* Introduced species (weed)
Bossiaea genus
There's 78 Bossiaea species - all endemic to Australia - with 10 recorded as being in the Blue Mountains.
Sword Bossiaea
Bossiaea ensata
This low sprawling plant has no leaves.
Its flat strap-like branches are 4-5mm wide; the flowers 10mm across.
It has a green keel and the back of its standard is red.
Its flat strap-like branches are 4-5mm wide; the flowers 10mm across.
It has a green keel and the back of its standard is red.
Spiny Bossiaea
Bossiaea obcordata
The Spiny Bossiaea is a shrub to 2m high and it flowers in spring.
Its spines announce its presence.
The heart-shaped folded leaves and hairy branchlets confirm its identity.
Its keel is dark red.
Its spines announce its presence.
The heart-shaped folded leaves and hairy branchlets confirm its identity.
Its keel is dark red.
Rhombic Bossiaea
Bossiaea rhombifolia
Flowering in late winter and early spring, its browny-orange wings and dark red keel help identify it.
But its roundish alternate leaves make it stand out.
Here's another image of its leaves.
But its roundish alternate leaves make it stand out.
Here's another image of its leaves.
Broom Bossiaea
Bossiaea scolopendria
A virtually leafless plant with characteristic flat branches.
Similar to B. ensata but B. scolopendria has reddish wings and the flowers are larger. And unlike B. ensata its branches aren't smooth.
Similar to B. ensata but B. scolopendria has reddish wings and the flowers are larger. And unlike B. ensata its branches aren't smooth.
Daviesia genus
Gorse Bitter Pea
Daviesia ulicifolia subsp. ulicifolia
This common pea flower is characterised by its sharp but flat leaves and sharp branches (spines). It flowers in spring.
Clustered Bitter-pea
Daviesia corymbosa
A stunning display of dark yellow and crimson pea flowers clustered together.
Winged Bitter Pea
Daviesia alata
Its orange pea flowers and strap like leaves identify it. The flowers are 6mm wide.
Dillwynia genus
Sandstone Parrot-pea
Dillwynia brunioides
Sadly, this beautiful plant has no common name. The flowers are about 13mm wide and the warty leaves 7-8mm long.
Here's another image that shows the more usual spreading leaves.
Here's another image that shows the more usual spreading leaves.
Gompholobium genus - Golden Glory Peas
There's 11 species of Gompholobium in NSW - 10 of which can be found in the Blue Mountains.
Large Wedge Pea
Gompholobium grandiflorum
Distinguished from its siblings by its sets of three heavily recurved leaves.
The flowers are 20mm wide.
The flowers are 20mm wide.
Dainty Wedge Pea
Gompholobium glabratum
Its 10mm wide flowers have the most beautiful yellow colour. It is identified by its pinnate leaves and warty stems.
Here's another image.
Here's another image.
Broad-leaf Wedge Pea
Gompholobium latifolium
Identified by its broad leaves - well, broader than the Large Wedge Pea - and its ciliate (hairy) keel.
Growing up to 3 metres in height, it is the largest of the Wedge Peas.
Growing up to 3 metres in height, it is the largest of the Wedge Peas.
Dwarf Wedge Pea
Gompholobium minus
The apex (ends) of its leaves are strongly recurved (bent) and they have a point.
Its flowers are 7mm wide.
Its flowers are 7mm wide.
Creeping Wedge-pea
Gompholobium inconspicuum
This small "inconspicuous" plant is identified by its prostrate form and warty stems.
Here's another image.
Here's another image.
Hovea genus
There's 20 species of Hovea in NSW - 8 of which can be found in the Blue Mountains.
Common Hovea
Hovea linearis
Flowering in late winter, this beautiful pea flower is also known as the Erect Hovea or Blue Bonnet. The latter being a delightful name.
Mirbelia genus
Large-flowered Mirbelia
Mirbelia platylobioides
Historically called Mirbelia grandiflora it also exhibits the heavily veined leaves of its sibling to the immediate left.
The flower is 10-12mm wide.
Here's another image. [Note: The name "Large-flowered Mirbelia" is not commonly accepted.]
The flower is 10-12mm wide.
Here's another image. [Note: The name "Large-flowered Mirbelia" is not commonly accepted.]
Mirbelia baueri
The flowers are 10mm long & wide. The plant shown here had upturned wings and was prostrate; its 8-10mm leaves were smooth with a ridge on the top.
Here's another image.
Here's another image.
Pultenaea genus - Bush Peas
Rough Bush-pea
Pultenaea scabra
Identified by its squared-off leaves that have weak mucro, and the tell-tale stipules that characterises the Pultenaea genus.
[Stipules are the small leafy growth at the base of leaves.]
[Stipules are the small leafy growth at the base of leaves.]
Halo Bush-pea
Pultenaea linophylla
A small scraggy plant whose spring flowers are about 6mm across and have a red keel.
Its leaves are 10mm long, have a down-turned tip and are hairy underneath.
It is also known as the Small-leaved Bush-pea.
Its leaves are 10mm long, have a down-turned tip and are hairy underneath.
It is also known as the Small-leaved Bush-pea.
Pultenaea canescens
Only found in the upper Blue Mountains, it is identified by its hairy concave leaves and yellow keel. Its bracteole is reddish brown which helps distinguish it from P. tuberculata (which has a red keel).
Phyllota genus
There's 4 species of Phyllota in NSW - 3 of which can be found in the Blue Mountains.
Dense Phyllota
Phyllota squarrosa
Yet another stunning pea-flower. It is separated from its siblings by its yellow mucro (leaf tip).
Its elongated standard is 8mm high, and its leaf margins revolute (rolled-back).
Its elongated standard is 8mm high, and its leaf margins revolute (rolled-back).
Heath Phyllota
Phyllota grandiflora
Its tall standard helps identify it as a Phyllota species.
The densely villous (hairy) calyx shows it to be P. grandiflora.
Here's another image.
The densely villous (hairy) calyx shows it to be P. grandiflora.
Here's another image.
other pea flower genera
Purple Coral Pea
Hardenbergia violacea
Easy to identify as it is most probably the only purple pea flower climber.
Its flowers are 8mm across. Commercially it is known as the Happy Wanderer.
Here's an image of its leaves.
Its flowers are 8mm across. Commercially it is known as the Happy Wanderer.
Here's an image of its leaves.
Leafless Globe-pea
Sphaerolobium minus
Differentiated from S. vimineum by its shorter wings that expose its keel, and having only a hint of red on some flowers, and none on most.
The flowers are barely 5mm wide and long.
The flowers are barely 5mm wide and long.
Native Holly
Podolobium ilicifolium
Easily identified by its holly like leaves, it is also known as the Prickly Shaggy Pea. Shaggy Pea being the common name of the Podolobium genus.
Handsome Flat Pea
Platylobium formosum
Recognised by the prominent veins on its ovate (round) leaves.
The back of the standard is red.
The back of the standard is red.
Australian Indigo
Indigofera australis subsp. australis
Found throughout Australia, its pink flowers and grey leaves help identify it.
Gorse
Ulex europaeus
Introduced species (weed)
This declared noxious weed is identified by its very hairy keel and spines.
African Scurf-pea
Psoralea pinnata
Introduced species (weed)
A native of South Africa, it is identified by its light blue flowers and hairy and variable leaves.
It can grow to 5m in height.
Photo by Rosie
Scotch Broom
Cytisus scoparius
Introduced species (weed)
A native of Europe, it is also called English Broom or simply Broom.
Its five-ribbed branches identify it.
Here's another image.
Photo by Paul Vale
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