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Blue Mountains Wildflowers
Boronias, Guinea Flowers & Heaths
Pink Swamp Heath
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.
Heaths. Family Epacridaceae, or Southern Heaths, has recently been absorbed into the Family Ericaceae (Northern Heaths). Northern Heaths includes Rhododendrons and Azaleas.
Index to our collection -
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Guinea Flowers
Blue Mountains Guinea Flower Brown Guinea Flower Erect Guinea Flower Golden Guinea Flower Grey Guinea Flower Leafy Guinea Flower Tall Guinea Flower Thyme Guinea Flower |
Family Rutaceae
There's over 60 species of the Rutaceae family in the Blue Mountains.
Boronia genus
The fragrance from Boronias comes from the oil in the leaves - and this requires a sunny day for it to be released. There's an estimated 18 Boronia species in the Blue Mountains. Unlike most members of the Rutaceae family, Boronias have 4 petals - as do Zierias. Boronias have 8 stamens - Zierias have 4.
Small Leaved Boronia
Boronia microphylla
Flowering in spring and summer, the shape of its leaves characterise this small plant.
Here's another image.
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.
Here's another image.
Sydney Boronia
Boronia ledifolia
Flowering in late winter through spring, its stems are a rusty colour.
Its sepals help identify it.
It is also known as the Ledum Boronia.
Here's another image and another.
Here's an image of a white form.
Its sepals help identify it.
It is also known as the Ledum Boronia.
Here's another image and another.
Here's an image of a white form.
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.
This image shows a close up of the flower and the distinctive leaves.
Narrow-leaved Boronia
Boronia anemonifolia
subsp. anemonifolia
Recognised by its shiny narrow fork like leaves, it is also known as Sticky Boronia.
The flowers are about 1cm across.
Here's another image.
The flowers are about 1cm across.
Here's another image.
Boronia thujona
A large colourful shrub in spring, it's
distinguished from the more common Boronia pinnata by its slightly discolourous leaves and the finely glandular edges to its leaves.
Leionema genus
Shiny Phebalium
Leionema lamprophyllum
subsp. orbiculare
Identified by its circular warty leaves - as shown in this image.
It grows in exposed ridges between Dunns Swamp and Newnes Plateau.
It grows in exposed ridges between Dunns Swamp and Newnes Plateau.
Phebalium genus
Scaly Phebalium
Phebalium squamulosum
subsp. squamulosum
The brown mottled and scaly stems, and underside of its leaves and petals, help identify it.
PlantNet warns the "Intergrades occur between many of the subspecies".
Here's another image.
PlantNet warns the "Intergrades occur between many of the subspecies".
Here's another image.
Philotheca genus
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.
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.
Previously known as Eriostemon hispidulus.
Here's another image.
Zieria genus
Coveny's Zieria
Zieria covenyi
This endangered species is only found on the Narrow Neck Plateau in the Blue Mountains National Park.
Forest Zieria
Zieria arborescens
subsp. arborescens
Also known as Stinkwood, this small tree is found on the edge of rainforests.
Hairy Zieria
Zieria pilosa
A small shrub to 1m tall with hairy branches. The lower surface of its slightly discolourous leaves are also hairy, as are its sepals. Here's another image.
The Dilleniaceae family is only represented by the Hibbertia genus in the Blue Mountains - but there are over 20 species. The name Guinea Flower comes from the gold guinea coin.
Brown Guinea Flower
Hibbertia rufa
Easily identified by its
browny-red stem and glossy leaves.
It has 4 stamens and 2 carpels.
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.
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.
Golden Guinea Flower
Hibbertia scandens
One of several climbing guinea flowers, it is recognised by its large flower - up to 9cm wide. It has 30+ stamens and 3-7 carpels.
The edges of its leaves can be either smooth or toothed - as shown on this image.
The edges of its leaves can be either smooth or toothed - as shown on this image.
Grey Guinea Flower
Hibbertia obtusifolia
An erect shrub to 60cm tall, its grey hairy foliage and hairy branches identify it.
It has over 30 stamens and 3 carpels.
It's also known as the Hoary Guinea Flower.
It has over 30 stamens and 3 carpels.
It's also known as the Hoary Guinea Flower.
The Common Heath
Epacris impressa
There's over 60 species of the Ericaceae family in the Blue Mountains.
The most common genus is the Epacris genus with 18 species, followed by the Leucopogon genus with 14.
Epacris genus
The Common Heath (Epacris impressa) is Victoria's floral emblem.
It is most probably not found as far north as the Blue Mountains.
NSW Coral Heath
Epacris pulchella
Flowering from late summer to early Autumn with usually white flowers, but occasionally light pink, characterise this stunning plant.
It is also known as the Wallum Heath.
It is also known as the Wallum Heath.
Coral Heath
Epacris microphylla
Flowering in spring, it has tightly grouped 3mm wide flowers that cover the erect branch.
Here's another image.
Here's another image.
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.
Epacris crassifolia
subsp. crassifolia
As shown in this image, it has reddish young branches and its leaves have several veins.
Its corolla (flower tube) is around 6mm in length.
Its corolla (flower tube) is around 6mm in length.
Swamp Heath
Epacris paludosa
Its hairy branches and distinctive 10mm long lance like leaves help to identify it.
It is also known as the Alpine Heath.
It is also known as the Alpine Heath.
Leucopogon genus
Leucopogons are easily recognised by their hairy mouths.
Blunt Beard-heath
Leucopogon muticus
Its longer wider recurved leaves help identify it. As does the usual blunt end to its leaves - most Leucopogons tend to come to a point.
Its flowers are borne on spikes.
Here's another image.
Its flowers are borne on spikes.
Here's another image.
Leucopogon setiger
Identified by its leaves at right-angles to its branches and its one or two flowers on a longer peduncle (stalk).
Here's an image with a pollinator, and its erect pungent leaves.
Here's an image with a pollinator, and its erect pungent leaves.
Pink Beard-heath
Leucopogon ericoides
Just a hint of pink - but not enough to identify it.
Its recurved pungent leaves that are at 45° to the branch and more than two flowers on a short stalk is a good indicator.
Here's an image with a pollinator.
Its recurved pungent leaves that are at 45° to the branch and more than two flowers on a short stalk is a good indicator.
Here's an image with a pollinator.
Leucopogon fletcheri
subsp. fletcheri
This endangered plant is primarily restricted to the Springwood area.
Its long pendulous flowers and recurved pungent leaves help identify it.
Its long pendulous flowers and recurved pungent leaves help identify it.
Photo by Robin Murray
Small-leaved White Beard
Leucopogon microphyllus var. microphyllus
A tiny plant with 5mm wide flowers that are embraced by red sepals.
Its mass of flowers at the end of branches and parallel veins under its 6mm long leaves help identify it.
Here's another image.
Its mass of flowers at the end of branches and parallel veins under its 6mm long leaves help identify it.
Here's another image.
Other heath genera
Pink Swamp Heath
Sprengelia incarnata
Flowering in winter and spring, the second layer of five petals are sepals.
Snow Wreath
Woollsia pungens
Flowering in late winter, its 10mm wide flowers have a strong fragrance.
Also recognised by the ripples on its petals.
This is the only species in this genus.
Here's another image.
Also recognised by the ripples on its petals.
This is the only species in this genus.
Here's another image.
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.
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.
Here's another image.
Spanish Heath
Erica lusitanica
Introduced species (weed)
Identified by the pink stripe on its white bell like flowers, this is a "garden escapee" that is found chiefly in the Blue Mountains - often on roadsides.
Its leaves and whitish branches help identify it when it's not in flower.
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