Blue Mountains Wildflowers
Acacias & Myrtles
Members of the Mimosoideae subfamily and Myrtaceae family
(wattles, eucalypts and tea-trees).
(wattles, eucalypts and tea-trees).
Acacias (family Fabaceae; subfamily Mimosoideae)
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.
Myrtles (family Myrtaceae)
Blue Mountains Ash (Eucalyptus oreades)
The most prolific genus is the eucalypt or gum tree which has around 100 species. The number of eucalypts commonly includes the Angophora, Corymbia and Eucalyptus genera. Ian Brown's Eucalypts of the Greater Blue Mountains provides an excellent overview.
Next is the Leptospermum genus (Tea-trees) with over 20 species.
In 2000 the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area (GBMWHA) was inscribed on the World Heritage list due to its biodiversity - especially its number of eucalypt species.
You will find more information about the GBMWHA here.
Eucalypts have the distinction of giving the Blue Mountains its colour and therefore its name. The blue hue of distant hills is caused by fine droplets of eucalyptus oil in the air.
Note: I find taking photos and identifying eucalypts challenging as I don't have a cherry-picker to get close to their flowers and gumnuts.
Our Acacia Showcase
common name index
- Acacia asparagoides
- Acacia ptychoclada
- Blackwood
- Cedar Wattle
- Crested Wattle *
- Gordon's Wattle
- Hedgehog Wattle
- Kangaroo Thorn
- Lunate-leaved Acacia
- Myrtle Wattle
- Ploughshare Wattle
- Prickly Moses
- Rush-leaved Wattle
botanical name index
- Acacia asparagoides
- Acacia echinula
- Acacia elata
- Acacia elongata
- Acacia gordonii
- Acacia gunnii
- Acacia junifolia
- Acacia longifolia
- Acacia lunata
- Acacia melanoxylon
- Acacia myrtifolia
- Acacia oxycedrus
- Acacia paradoxa
- Acacia ptychoclada
- Acacia suaveolens
- Acacia terminalis subsp. angustifolia
- Acacia terminalis subsp. aurea
- Acacia trinervata
- Acacia ulicifolia
- Paraserianthes lophantha subsp. lophantha *
* Introduced species (weed)
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)
Swamp Wattle
Acacia elongata
Its bright yellow flowers and and long leaves with three longitudinal veins helps identify it.
It flowers from late winter into spring.
Here's another image.
It flowers from late winter into spring.
Here's another image.
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.
Lunate-leaved Acacia
Acacia lunata
Brilliant yellow flowers in spring, this wattle is identified by the 3-5 flowers in each globe, and the
vein in its dull green leaves being off-centre.
Sydney Golden Wattle
Acacia longifolia
This spring flowering wattle is identified by two dominant
veins in its long leaves (up to 20cm), and two or three less conspicuous ones.
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.
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.
Prickly Moses
Acacia ulicifolia
Earlier flowering (from April) and paler flowers helps identify Prickly Moses.
On closer inspection it has a marked gland angle and longer stipules.
On closer inspection it has a marked gland angle and longer stipules.
Ploughshare Wattle
Acacia gunnii
The smaller triangular leaves (around 5mm) help identify this little wattle.
It flowers from winter into spring.
It flowers from winter into spring.
Spike Wattle
Acacia oxycedrus
A small tree, with very sharp broad leaves. Stunning when in flower in early spring.
This image shows its opening buds and leaves.
This image shows its opening buds and leaves.
Kangaroo Thorn
Acacia paradoxa
Also called Hedge Wattle and was previously A. armata. Its thorns and leaves readily identify it.
This plant was found in Wollemi National Park.
This plant was found in Wollemi National Park.
Myrtle Wattle
Acacia myrtifolia
Flowering in late winter, it is identified by its broad red edged leaves. It is also known as the Red-stemmed Wattle.
This image shows its opening buds and red stem.
This image shows its opening buds and red stem.
Acacia asparagoides
This small prickly plant is identified by its very short peduncles (stalks). It is an uncommon species and is only found in the Upper and mid Blue Mountains.
Its flowers are 10mm across and phyllodes (leaves) up to 15mm in length.
Here's another image and another.
Its flowers are 10mm across and phyllodes (leaves) up to 15mm in length.
Here's another image and another.
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.
Our Myrtle Showcase
common name index
- tea-trees
- Paperback Tea-tree
- Pink Tea-tree
- Prickly Tea-tree
- Small Leaf Tea-tree
- Spider Tea-tree
- Tantoon
- Woolly Tea-tree
- some of the many others
- Common Fringe-myrtle
- Crimson Bottlebrush
- Darwinia taxifolia
- Heath Myrtle
- Megalong Valley Bottlebrush
- Pink Buttons
- Rosy Baeckea
- Tick Bush
- Turpentine
- Water Gum
- Weeping Baeckea
botanical name index
- Baeckea imbricata
- Baeckea linifolia
- Callistemon citrinus
- Callistemon megalongensis
- Calytrix tetragona
- Darwinia taxifolia
- Eucalyptus oreades
- Eucalyptus racemosa
- Eucalyptus sieberi
- Euryomyrtus ramosissima subsp. ramosissima
- Kunzea ambigua
- Kunzea capitata
- Leptospermum arachnoides
- Leptospermum juniperinum
- Leptospermum lanigerum
- Leptospermum parvifolium
- Leptospermum polygalifolium
- Leptospermum squarrosum
- Leptospermum trinervium
- Syncarpia glomulifera
- Tristania neriifolia
Eucalyptus genus
Scribbly Gum
Eucalyptus racemosa
This species of the unmistakable Scribbly Gum is common in the Blue Mountains.
Here's an image of its distinctive bark and another. The scribbles are made by the Scribbly Gum Moth.
Here's an image of its distinctive bark and another. The scribbles are made by the Scribbly Gum Moth.
Silver-top Ash
Eucalyptus sieberi
Identified by its red branchlets and the veins of its leaves, this spring flowering eucalypt also has a purple ring around the edge of each flower.
Here's an image of its gum nuts.
Here's an image of its gum nuts.
Blue Mountains Ash
Eucalyptus oreades
Magnificent! Its tall white trunk identifies it - together with the strips of bark around its base.
A photo can't capture its grandeur.
Here's an image showing its base.
A photo can't capture its grandeur.
Here's an image showing its base.
Leptospermum genus
Woolly Tea-tree
Leptospermum lanigerum
Very similar description to L. grandifolium. However, I believe the specimen shown here is L. lanigerum due to its very
silky sepals and shorter leaves - many less than 10mm.
Pink Tea-tree
Leptospermum squarrosum
Similar in description to several species, but its larger flowers (up to 20mm) differentiates it.
It also flowers in Autumn, which helps identify it. But to confuse matters, it also flowers in Spring.
It also flowers in Autumn, which helps identify it. But to confuse matters, it also flowers in Spring.
Tantoon
Leptospermum polygalifolium
Also known as the Lemon-scented Tea-tree due to the lemony fragrance of its crushed leaves.
Oil dots can be readily seen on its leaves.
It produces a mass of flowers in early summer.
Oil dots can be readily seen on its leaves.
It produces a mass of flowers in early summer.
Prickly Tea-tree
Leptospermum juniperinum
This shrub is identified by its prickly leaves - its
new growth is not prickly and has long appressed hairs.
The leaves and flowers are held very tightly to the branches - as this image shows.
The 10mm flowers appear in late spring.
The leaves and flowers are held very tightly to the branches - as this image shows.
The 10mm flowers appear in late spring.
Small Leaf Tea-tree
Leptospermum parvifolium
A small variety of tea-tree (up to 2m high) whose leaves are less than 1cm long and whose petals are barely 5mm.
other species in the Myrtaceae family
Common Fringe-myrtle
Calytrix tetragona
The thread coming from the tip of each of the five sepals is known as an awn. The petals are about 5mm in length.
This is the only Calytrix species found in the greater Blue Mountains and its form can vary.
This is the only Calytrix species found in the greater Blue Mountains and its form can vary.
Darwinia taxifolia
Darwinia taxifolia
The two patches of Darwinia taxifolia I have found in the upper Blue Mountains, are on the most exposed terrain possible.
This hardy plant flowers in winter and spring.
This hardy plant flowers in winter and spring.
Pink Buttons
Kunzea capitata
Kunzeas are distinguished from Tea Trees by the long style coming from the centre of the flower. K. capitata is differentiated from K. parvifolia by its longer leaves - 4-9mm versus 1-4mm.
Here's a white form.
Here's a white form.
Weeping Baeckea
Baeckea linifolia
The 5mm wide flowers appear in summer.
The shrub is up to 2 metres high and its weeping form distinguishes it.
Here's another image.
The shrub is up to 2 metres high and its weeping form distinguishes it.
Here's another image.
Tick Bush
Kunzea ambigua
Five Kunzea species are found in the Blue Mountains. The Tick Bush's white flowers along its branches, and short leaf stalk help identify it.
Here's another image.
Here's another image.
Heath Myrtle
Baeckea imbricata
Its 3-5mm circular leaves and 5-7 stamens distinguish it from B. brevifolia which has narrower leaves and 10+ stamens.
Here's another image.
Here's another image.
Crimson Bottlebrush
Callistemon citrinus
While many bottlebrush species in the Blue Mountains are a creamy colour, the brilliant red of this species makes it a stand-out. Its crushed leaves have a lemony fragrance.
Megalong Valley Bottlebrush
Callistemon megalongensis
This endangered species is only found in the Megalong Valley. Its pink colour helps identify it.
Here's another image.
Here's another image.
Water Gum
Tristania neriifolia
The 15mm wide bright yellow flowers and dark green lance shaped leaves helps identify the Water Gum.
The underneath of the leaves is much lighter. The Water Gum grows along side streams.
Here's another image.
The underneath of the leaves is much lighter. The Water Gum grows along side streams.
Here's another image.
Rosy Baeckea
Euryomyrtus ramosissima subsp. ramosissima
This small plant was formerly Baeckea ramosissima, its white to deep pink round petals are 4mm across.
Its long flower stalk helps identify it.
Its long flower stalk helps identify it.
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