Blue Mountains Wildflowers
Banksias & Grevilleas
and other members of the Proteaceae 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.
Mountain Devil (Lambertia formosa)
Family Proteaceae
Although the Proteaceae family is "only" the fifth largest of Australia flora in terms of the number of species, it boasts some of the most popular and well known species including the Waratah and Old Man Banksia.
The Grevillea genus, with over 380 species, is the third largest flora genus in Australia - after Acacia and Eucalyptus.
There's over 80 species of the Proteaceae family in the Blue Mountains.
Note: Images marked as LCNP were taken in the Lane Cove National Park.
Index to our collection
Banksias - Geebungs - Grevilleas - Drumsticks & Conesticks - Hakeas - Smoke Bushes - Mountain Devil - Woody Pear - Waratah - other genera
common name index
- Banksias
- Banksia cunninghamii
- Coast Banksia *
- Fern-leaved Banksia
- Hairpin Banksia
- Heath Banksia
- Hill Banksia
- Newnes Plateau Banksia
- Old Man Banksia
- Silver Banksia
- Swamp Banksia
- White Mountain Banksia
- Geebungs
- Broad-leaved Geebung
- Lance Leaf Geebung
- Laurel-leaf Geebung
- Mountain Geebung
- Narrow-leaved Geebung
- Needle Geebung
- Persoonia recedens
- Soft Geebung
- Grevilleas
- Bog Grevillea
- Evans Grevillea
- Green Spider Flower
- Grevillea aspleniifolia
- Grey Spider Flower
- Juniper Grevillea
- Laurel-leaf Grevillea
- Pink Spider Flower (ssp. riparia)
- Pink Spider Flower (ssp. sericea)
- Rosemary Grevillea
- Red Spider Flower
- Woolly Grevillea
- Hakeas
- Blacknose
- Dagger Hakea
- Finger Hakea
- Hakea constablei
- Hakea laevipes
- Hakea pachyphylla
- Needlebush
- Small-fruited Hakea
- Willow-leaved Hakea
* introduced species
botanical name index
- Banksia collina
- Banksia cunninghamii
- Banksia ericifolia subsp. ericifolia
- Banksia integrifolia subsp. integrifolia *
- Banksia integrifolia subsp. monticola
- Banksia marginata
- Banksia oblongifolia
- Banksia paludosa subsp. paludosa
- Banksia penicillata
- Banksia serrata
- Banksia spinulosa
- Conospermum ericifolium
- Conospermum longifolium subsp. longifolium
- Conospermum longifolium subsp. mediale
- Conospermum taxifolium
- Conospermum tenuifolium
- Grevillea acanthifolia subsp. acanthifolia
- Grevillea aspleniifolia
- Grevillea evansiana
- Grevillea juniperina
- Grevillea lanigera
- Grevillea laurifolia
- Grevillea mucronulata
- Grevillea oleoides
- Grevillea phylicoides
- Grevillea rosmarinifolia subsp. rosmarinifolia
- Grevillea sericea subsp. riparia
- Grevillea sericea subsp. sericea
- Hakea constablei
- Hakea dactyloides
- Hakea laevipes
- Hakea microcarpa
- Hakea pachyphylla
- Hakea propinqua
- Hakea sericea
- Hakea salicifolia
- Hakea teretifolia
- Isopogon anemonifolius
- Lambertia formosa
- Lomatia myricoides
- Lomatia silaifolia
- Persoonia acerosa
- Persoonia chamaepitys
- Persoonia lanceolata
- Persoonia laurina subsp. laurina
- Persoonia levis
- Persoonia linearis
- Persoonia mollis subsp. mollis
- Persoonia recedens
- Petrophile pulchella
- Petrophile pedunculata
- Symphionema montanum
- Telopea speciosissima
- Xylomelum pyriforme
* introduced species
Banksias
- also see our Banksias web page.
There are eleven Banksia species in the Blue Mountains - this includes the introduced Coast Banksia (Banksia integrifolia subsp. integrifolia.
Banksia hooked styles
The first lesson is to disregard juvenile leaves - as they can be vastly different to the mature leaves used to identify plants - as this image of the seedlings of a Heath Banksia shows.
To assist in identification, the Banksias below are grouped into key identifiers.
Styles hooked.
The leaves distinguish these four from each other. Until a few years ago, B. collina and B. cunninghamii were varieties of B. spinulosa.
Heath Banksia
Banksia ericifolia subsp. ericifolia
A tall dense shrub to small tree; it has orange candle like cones in autumn.
Its 10-15mm long rosemary like leaves identify it.
Heath Banksias don't regrow after fire; they depend on seedlings.
Banksia ericifolia subsp. macrantha lives on the NSW North Coast.
Also see our Heath Banksia web page.
Its 10-15mm long rosemary like leaves identify it.
Heath Banksias don't regrow after fire; they depend on seedlings.
Banksia ericifolia subsp. macrantha lives on the NSW North Coast.
Also see our Heath Banksia web page.
Hairpin Banksia
Banksia spinulosa
A small multi-stemmed shrub usually less than 2 metres in height. The multiple stems are due to regrowth after fire.
Its recurved 2mm wide leaves identify it. The leaves tend to be clustered at the end of branches and point upwards like fingers on a hand.
Here's another image and another.
Its recurved 2mm wide leaves identify it. The leaves tend to be clustered at the end of branches and point upwards like fingers on a hand.
Here's another image and another.
Banksia cunninghamii
Banksia cunninghamii is a single stemmed tree up to 6m in height. Its 5mm wide leaves radiate from its branches, and are reasonably flat and are
toothed towards the end.
Banksia cunninghamii doesn't regrow after fire; it depends on seedlings.
Banksia cunninghamii doesn't regrow after fire; it depends on seedlings.
Styles not hooked; leaves in regular whorls.
Straightish styles and leaves in regular whorls distinguish these three from other Blue Mountains banksias. The three species are uncommon.
The leaves of the Swamp Banksia and Newnes Plateau Banksia help to distinguish them from each other. Note the difference in the number of teeth, lateral veins, how the leaves taper and the hairs.
Swamp Banksia
Banksia paludosa
subsp. paludosa
A small shrub to 2m, its whorls of leaves and leaves themselves help identify it.
White Mountain Banksia
Banksia integrifolia
subsp. monticola
A tall leggy tree to 25m that grows in forests on soils derived from igneous rocks - such as at Mt. Wilson.
Its whorls of leaves, leaves themselves and small light yellow cone help identify it.
White Mountain Banksias regrow after fire. Here's another image.
Its whorls of leaves, leaves themselves and small light yellow cone help identify it.
White Mountain Banksias regrow after fire. Here's another image.
Coast Banksia
Banksia integrifolia
subsp. integrifolia
Introduced species
A tree to 25m, its leaves, in whorls, are entire, dull green on the upper surface and white-tomentose underneath.
It can be found along the east coast but is not a native of the Blue Mountains.
Plants at Echo Pt and on the highway in Katoomba, at Gordon Falls and next to Bullaburra Station were planted there.
Styles not hooked; leaves scattered along stems.
Silver Banksia
Banksia marginata
It gets its name from the underside of its leaves which are white and shine in the sun.
Here's another image and another.
Silver Banksias don't regrow after fire; they depend on seedlings.
See our Silver Banksia webpage.
Here's another image and another.
Silver Banksias don't regrow after fire; they depend on seedlings.
See our Silver Banksia webpage.
Old Man Banksia
Banksia serrata
My favourite plant.
Its distinctive cream cones in late summer with serrated leaves - all growing on a wonderfully gnarled tree identifies it.
Here he is covered in dew.
Old Man Banksias regrow after fire and also have seedlings.
See our Old Man Banksia webpage.
Its distinctive cream cones in late summer with serrated leaves - all growing on a wonderfully gnarled tree identifies it.
Here he is covered in dew.
Old Man Banksias regrow after fire and also have seedlings.
See our Old Man Banksia webpage.
Fern-leaved Banksia
Banksia oblongifolia
Once you see its straight styles and scattered leaves, the rusty hairy under surface of its 7cm long leaves and branchlets nails it.
It's a 2-3m high scrub.
Its bluish perianth also identifies it.
See our Fern-leaved Banksia webpage.
It's a 2-3m high scrub.
Its bluish perianth also identifies it.
See our Fern-leaved Banksia webpage.
Grevilleas
- also see our Spider Flowers web page.
There's some 22 species of the Grevillea genus in the Blue Mountains.
Bog Grevillea
Grevillea acanthifolia
subsp. acanthifolia
This distinctive toothed grevillea with its red branches, flowers in swamps in spring.
Here's another image.
Here's another image.
[Note: The name "Bog Grevillea" is not widely used.]
Grevillea aspleniifolia
Its toothbrush-like flower and jagged leaves identifies it. This plant was found in the Kedumba Valley.
Evans Grevillea
Grevillea evansiana
Classed as vulnerable, it is only found in an area east of Rylstone.
It is identified by its "felty" leaves and crimson flowers.
This plant was found in Wollemi National Park. Here's another image.
It is identified by its "felty" leaves and crimson flowers.
This plant was found in Wollemi National Park. Here's another image.
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.
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.
Woolly Grevillea
Grevillea lanigera
Its name identifies it - woolly leaves and style. It flowers in spring.
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.
Grey Spider Flower
Grevillea phylicoides
Distinguished from the other Grey Spider Flowers (G. buxifolia) by its narrower and very hairy leaves, and at 20mm wide its flowers are half the size.
It also lacks the little appendage at the end of its legs (styles). The foot-like pads at the end of the style are greeny-grey, where the (G. buxifolia)'s are a reddy-brown grey.
Here's another image.
It also lacks the little appendage at the end of its legs (styles). The foot-like pads at the end of the style are greeny-grey, where the (G. buxifolia)'s are a reddy-brown grey.
Here's another image.
Rosemary Grevillea
Grevillea rosmarinifolia
subsp. rosmarinifolia
Its pugent pointed leaves have no veins, are slightly recurved and felty underneath.
Here's another image.
Here's Peter Olde's Rediscovering Grevillea rosmarinifolia article.
Here's another image.
Here's Peter Olde's Rediscovering Grevillea rosmarinifolia article.
Pink Spider Flower
Grevillea sericea subsp. sericea
The sericea subspecies has shorter wider leaves and its flowers are at the end of branchlets.
A Pink Spider Flower on a badhair style day.
Here's another image and another.
Also see our Spider Flowers web page.
A Pink Spider Flower on a bad
Here's another image and another.
Also see our Spider Flowers web page.
Pink Spider Flower
Grevillea sericea subsp. riparia
The riparia subspecies is found on the edge of creeks in the lower Blue Mountains. It has longer narrower leaves and some of its flowers are surrounded by leaves.
Here's another image.
Here's another image.
Geebungs
- the Persoonia genus
There are some 20 species in the Blue Mountains.
Their distinctive bright yellow flowers in summer and fruit (drupes) distinguishes them from any other genus.
They are known to hybridize, so identifying a species is not always straight forward.
The word Geebung has been immortalised in Banjo Paterson's poem The Geebung Polo Club.
Narrow-leaved Geebung
Persoonia linearis
The other Geebung with
flaky bark is the Narrow-leaved Geebung. Its leaves are very long (up to 80mm) and are usually just 2mm wide.
Here's another image.
Here's another image.
Mountain Geebung
Persoonia chamaepitys
This is a prostrate geebung. Its light green pine-like leaves identifies it.
Persoonia recedens
Its 20mm long flat leaves, that are up to 4mm wide, helps to identify it.
It is a threatened species, and is mainly found in the upper Blue Mountains.
It is a threatened species, and is mainly found in the upper Blue Mountains.
Soft Geebung
Persoonia mollis subsp. mollis
Its very hairy leaves, branches and tepals (outer covering of the
flower) are the first thing you notice about this attractive plant.
There are nine subspecies - but this is the one most frequently found in the upper Blue Mountains.
Here's a close-up image.
There are nine subspecies - but this is the one most frequently found in the upper Blue Mountains.
Here's a close-up image.
Lance Leaf Geebung
Persoonia lanceolata
The leaves on this geebung tree are 65-70mm long, 15mm wide and are concolourous (same colour on both sides).
The pedicel (flower stalk) is 3mm long and the unfurled tepal (outer surface of flower) is 11mm long.
Here's another image.
The pedicel (flower stalk) is 3mm long and the unfurled tepal (outer surface of flower) is 11mm long.
Here's another image.
Laurel-leaf Geebung
Persoonia laurina subsp. laurina
Identified by the rusty brown hairs on the outer layer of its flowers (the tepals).
There are three subspecies. Subsp. laurina has smooth leaves.
There are three subspecies. Subsp. laurina has smooth leaves.
Needle Geebung
Persoonia acerosa
This Geebung is classified as "vulnerable". It is identified by its needle like leaves which are "subterete" (cylinder-like) and have a channel on them.
Here's another image.
Here's another image.
Hakeas
There's 10 species recorded as being in the Blue Mountains. The species not shown here is the critically endangered Kowmung Hakea (H. dohertyi) which only occurs in the Kanangra Boyd National Park and southern Blue Mountains National Park.
Their distinctive woody fruit (seed capsule) distinguishes them from other genera. The fruit does not open until the branch supporting it dies. The exception to this in NSW is the Small-fruited Hakea (H. microcarpa) whose fruit opens on maturity.
Dagger Hakea
Hakea teretifolia
Arguably the most prickly customer in the bush. Its leaves are hard and sharp. It's named after its distinctively shaped fruit. It has white flowers in summer.
Also called Needlebush.
Also called Needlebush.
Hakea pachyphylla
Only found in the upper Blue Mountains, Hakea pachyphylla is distinguished from H. propinqua by its yellow flowers, later flowering (spring) and smoother
fruit that is slightly beaked and obvoid.
Here's another image.
Here's another image.
Finger Hakea
Hakea dactyloides
Flowering in spring, it is identified by its flat leaves that have three veins, its
fruit with its small beak, and glabrous (hairless) branchlets.
Also called the Broad-leaved Hakea.
Similar to Hakea laevipes.
Also called the Broad-leaved Hakea.
Similar to Hakea laevipes.
Hakea laevipes
Although having leaves with three veins, it is distinguished from the Finger Hakea by its conspicuous secondary veins, its beakless
fruit, and pubescent (hairy) branchlets.
It also flowers later than the Finger Hakea.
Being lignotuberous means that it may have multiple branches as the result of a bushfire.
It also flowers later than the Finger Hakea.
Being lignotuberous means that it may have multiple branches as the result of a bushfire.
Drumsticks & Conesticks - the Isopogon and Petrophile genera
- also see our Drumsticks & Conesticks web page.
- also see our Drumsticks & Conesticks web page.
There are 35 species of the Isopogon genus - all endemic to Australia. 7 are in NSW with 5 in the Blue Mountains.
There are 63 species of the Petrophile genus - all endemic to Australia. 4 are in NSW and the Blue Mountains.
Conesticks
Petrophile pulchella
Although looking needle like, its leaf are soft. Its cones are more oval than the Drumstick.
Stalked Conesticks
Petrophile pedunculata
Where the leaves of the Conesticks generally all point upwards, the leaves of the Stalked Conesticks point every which way.
Smoke Bushes - the Conospermum genus
There are about 50 species of the Conospermum genus - all endemic to Australia.
Seven species/subspecies are recorded as being in the Blue Mountains.
Variable Smoke-bush
Conospermum taxifolium
The leaves of the Variable Smoke-bush are around 15mm long, mostly twisted and 2-3mm wide.
C. taxifolium is distinguished from C. ericifolium by its wider leaves - > 1mm.
As with other Blue Mountains smoke bush species, it flowers in spring.
Here's another image and another.
C. taxifolium is distinguished from C. ericifolium by its wider leaves - > 1mm.
As with other Blue Mountains smoke bush species, it flowers in spring.
Here's another image and another.
Long Leaf Smoke Bush
Conospermum longifolium
subsp. longifolium
Recognised by its wide (> 8mm) leaves which are up to 40cm in length.
This subspecies is uncommon in the Blue Mountains.
The third subspecies. C. longifolium subsp. angustifolium is primarily found south-east of the Blue Mountains.
This subspecies is uncommon in the Blue Mountains.
The third subspecies. C. longifolium subsp. angustifolium is primarily found south-east of the Blue Mountains.
Conospermum ericifolium
Each floret is around 15mm wide.
Its terete leaves are about 10mm long and 1mm wide.
Of note was its blue sepals - which I can’t find any reference of.
PlantNet comments - “Intermediates between this species and C. taxifolium are found in areas where they grow together.”
Its terete leaves are about 10mm long and 1mm wide.
Of note was its blue sepals - which I can’t find any reference of.
PlantNet comments - “Intermediates between this species and C. taxifolium are found in areas where they grow together.”
Sprawling Smoke-bush
Conospermum tenuifolium
The long stems emerge from what looks like a patch of long grass.
The lilac coloured flowers are about 10mm wide and appear in spring.
The lilac coloured flowers are about 10mm wide and appear in spring.
Other genera of the Proteaceae family
saving the best until last!?
saving the best until last!?
There are 6 other genera in the Blue Mountains with 8 species in total.
Waratah
Telopea speciosissima
The floral emblem of New South Wales.
The crimson flowers appear in spring and are 15cm in diameter. Truly magnificent. Its mainly serrated leaves aren’t opposite.
Waratahs regrow after fire from their lignotubers. These seedpods on a Narrow Neck Plateau waratah appeared two years after the Black Summer Bushfires.
Also see our Waratah web page.
The crimson flowers appear in spring and are 15cm in diameter. Truly magnificent. Its mainly serrated leaves aren’t opposite.
Waratahs regrow after fire from their lignotubers. These seedpods on a Narrow Neck Plateau waratah appeared two years after the Black Summer Bushfires.
Also see our Waratah web page.
Mountain Devil
Lambertia formosa
The Mountain Devil flowers throughout the year, but mainly in the warmer months.
Its woody fruit, shaped like a devil, gives it its name.
Even without flowers, its pungent pointed recurved sessile leaves identifies it.
Mountain Devils have lignotubers and bounce back quickly after a bushfire.
Also see our Mountain Devil web page.
Its woody fruit, shaped like a devil, gives it its name.
Even without flowers, its pungent pointed recurved sessile leaves identifies it.
Mountain Devils have lignotubers and bounce back quickly after a bushfire.
Also see our Mountain Devil web page.
Mountain Symphionema
Symphionema montanum
There are only two species in this genus - both endemic to NSW.
Species are identified by their "ternate" leaves (leaves divided into 3).
S. montanum has flatter leaves than S. paludosum and has a distinct mid-vein.
The Mountain Symphionema is mainly found in the upper Blue Mountains.
Species are identified by their "ternate" leaves (leaves divided into 3).
S. montanum has flatter leaves than S. paludosum and has a distinct mid-vein.
The Mountain Symphionema is mainly found in the upper Blue Mountains.
River Lomatia
Lomatia myricoides
The River Lomatia is a tree up to 5m in height.
Its leaves with their staggered teeth announce it as a lomatia. The leaves are up to 20cm long, and may not be toothed.
Also known as the Long-leaf Lomatia, it flowers in summer.
Its leaves with their staggered teeth announce it as a lomatia. The leaves are up to 20cm long, and may not be toothed.
Also known as the Long-leaf Lomatia, it flowers in summer.
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