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Blue Mountains Wildflowers
Boronias, Heaths & Guinea Flowers
Members of the Rutaceae and Ericaceae families and the Hibbertia genus.

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.

Boronias: overview - showcase
Guinea Flowers: overview - showcase
Heaths: overview - showcase
Boronias (family Rutaceae)
Sydney Boronia Sydney Boronia  (Boronia ledifolia)
The family Rutaceae includes the Boronia, Correa, Leionema, Phebalium and Zieria genus. It also includes citrus fruit.

There are an estimated 320 species of the Rutaceae family in Australia, about 70 of these are in the Blue Mountains.


Guinea Flowers (genus Hibbertia)
Blue Mountains Guinea Flower Blue Mountains Guinea Flower  (Hibbertia bracteata)

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.

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 Ericaceae)
Pink Swamp Heath Pink Swamp Heath  (Sprengelia incarnata)
Heaths. Family Epacridaceae, or Southern Heaths, has recently been absorbed into the Family Ericaceae (Northern Heaths).

Northern Heaths includes Rhododendrons and Azaleas.

There's over 60 species of the Ericaceae family in the Blue Mountains.


Our Boronia Showcase - family Rutaceae

common name index



botanical name index



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
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
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
Sydney Boronia

Boronia ledifolia
Flowering in late winter through spring, its stems are a rusty colour. Its sepals protruding between its petals help identify it. It is also known as the Ledum Boronia.
Here's an image with a pollinator.
Also available in pink and white.
Pale Pink Boronia
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.
Deane's Boronia
Deane's Boronia

Boronia deanei subsp. deanei
This threatened species is classed as "vulnerable" and is restricted to the Blue Mountains & Kanangra-Boyd area.
Here's another image and image.
Narrow-leaved Boronia
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.
Boronia thujona
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.
Fraser's Boronia
Fraser's Boronia

Boronia fraseri
Its broad pinnate leaves with the terminal leaflet the longest helps identify it.
Its sepals not protruding between its petals differentiates it from the Sydney Boronia.
Here's another image and another.

Eriostemon genus

There's only one Eriostemon species in NSW. Several former Eriostemon species have been reclassified as Philotheca.

Pink Wax Flower
Pink Wax Flower

Eriostemon australasius
Identified from Philotheca species by the 3-5 veins on its petals - Philotheca species only have one vein.
The colour varies from pale pink to red.
Here's another image showing pollinators.

Leionema genus

There are three Leionema species in the Blue Mountains, with several more further north in the Wollemi National Park.

Prior to 1998, all species within this genus were included in the genus Phebalium (Wikipedia).

Leionema lachnaeoides
Leionema lachnaeoides


This endangered plant is only found in exposed areas of the upper Blue Mountains. Its stunning flowers are about 10mm across.
Its revolute (tightly recurved) leaves help identify it.
The plant shown here was lost in the Black Summer bushfires in 2019-20.
Here's another image and an image that shows a pollinator.
Shiny Phebalium
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.
Toothed Phebalium
Toothed Phebalium

Leionema dentatum
This uncommon plant is identified by its slightly toothed leaves which have a covering of short white hairs underneath.
Its long flower stalks aren't scaly.

Phebalium genus

Forest Phebalium
Forest 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.

Philotheca genus

Long-leaf Wax Flower
Long-leaf Wax Flower

Philotheca myoporoides
subsp. myoporoides
Identified by its long flat wide faintly warty leaves.
Here's another image and another.
Philotheca myoporoides subsp. acuta
Philotheca myoporoides
subsp. acuta

Distinguished from P. myoporoides subsp. myoporoides by its narrower densely warty leaves.
Its multiple flowers on a stalk help identify it from other Philotheca species.
Here's another image.
Wax Flower
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.
Wax Flower
Philotheca salsolifolia
subsp. salsolifolia

It's purple tinged petals, hairy stamens and terete leaves helps identify it.
Here's another image.
Rough Wax Plant
Rough Wax Plant

Philotheca hispidula
Its leaves have rough edges ("glandular-crenate") and a bent tip ("mucronate"). The keel of the petals are bristly.
Previously known as Eriostemon hispidulus.
Here's a six petal flower.
Here's another image and another.

Zieria genus

There are a dozen Zieria species in the Blue Mountains. They have 4 petals and 4 stamens.

Coveny's Zieria
Coveny's Zieria

Zieria covenyi
This endangered species is only found on the Narrow Neck Plateau in the Blue Mountains National Park.
Smooth Zieria
Smooth Zieria

Zieria laevigata
It's identified by the ridges on its branchlets.
Here's another image and another.
Forest Zieria
Forest Zieria

Zieria arborescens
subsp. arborescens
Also known as Stinkwood, this small tree is found on the edge of rainforests.
Hairy Zieria
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.
Zieria compacta
Zieria compacta

Its leaves, up to 35mm long and 8mm wide, dotted with oil glands help identify it.
The leave's paler lower surface has short white hairs and oil glands.

Our Guinea Flowers Showcase - family Dilleniaceae - genus Hibbertia

common name index



botanical name index


Erect Guinea Flower
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
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
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
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
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.
Grey Guinea Flower
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.
Tall Guinea Flower
Tall Guinea Flower

Hibbertia saligna
A shrub to 2m tall, its furry leaves help identify it.
It has 20 to 30 stamens and 3 carpels.
Here's another image.
Blue Mountains Guinea Flower
Blue Mountains
Guinea Flower

Hibbertia bracteata
An erect shrub to about 1m tall.
It has 10 to 16 stamens and 2 carpels.
Its hairy bracts and the mucro at the end of its leaves help identify it.
Here's another image.
Prickly Guinea Flower
Prickly Guinea Flower

Hibbertia acicularis
Its prickly leaves help identify it.
It has 6-8 stamens and 2 carpels.
Here's another image and another.



Our Heaths Showcase - family Ericaceae

common name index

* Introduced species (weed)



botanical name index

* Introduced species (weed)



Epacris genus

Common Heath
The Common Heath

Epacris impressa
The Common Heath (Epacris impressa) is Victoria's floral emblem.
It is not found as far north as the Blue Mountains.

There's over 20 species of the Epacris genus in the Blue Mountains.

NSW Coral Heath
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.
Coral Heath
Coral Heath

Epacris microphylla
Flowering in spring, it has tightly grouped 3mm wide flowers that cover the erect branch.
Here's another image.
Fuchsia Heath
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
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
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.
Swamp Heath
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.
Keeled Heath
Keeled Heath

Epacris rigida
Distinguished from E. muelleri by the keel under its 3mm finely toothed leaves.
Here's another image.
Epacris browniae
Epacris browniae

Epacris browniae was identified in 2015 by David Coleby - the images provided here are from his tagged plants in Wentworth Falls.
Here's an image of its leaves.
Here's another image.
Epacris apiculata
Epacris apiculata

Only found in the upper Blue Mountains Epacris apiculata is initially recognised by its towers of closely layered ovate callous tipped leaves.
Here's another image.

Leucopogon genus

Leucopogons are easily recognised by their hairy mouths. There's 17 Leucopogon species in the Blue Mountains.

Lance Beard-heath
Lance Beard-heath

Leucopogon lanceolatus
var. lanceolatus

The spikes of flowers in spring and the 3 to 5 prominent veins on its leaves identifies this plant.
Here's an image of its fruit.
Blunt Beard-heath
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.
Lance Beard-heath
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 another image and another.
Pink Beard-heath
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.
Small-leaved White Beard
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.
Photo by Robin Murray
Leucopogon fletcheri subsp. fletcheri
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.

Other heath genera

There's a dozen or some other genera of the heath family in the Blue Mountains - most with only one or two species.

Pink Swamp Heath
Pink Swamp Heath

Sprengelia incarnata
Flowering in winter and spring, the second layer of five petals are sepals.
Here's another image.
Snow Wreath
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.
Daphne Heath
Daphne Heath

Brachyloma daphnoides subsp. daphnoides
Its name is due to the fragrance of the flowers. The red tip of its leaves helps identify it.
Necklace Heath
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
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
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.
Rock Sprengelia
Rock Sprengelia

Sprengelia monticola
This species is only found in sheltered damp cliff faces in the upper Blue Mountains. Its flowers are 10-12mm wide.
Here's another image, and another and another.
(Too good to leave in the bottom drawer.)
Spanish Heath
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.
Peach Heath
Peach Heath

Lissanthe strigosa subsp. strigosa
A prickly small plant. Its leaves have a single thick midrib, which distinguishes it from L. strigosa subsp. subulata.
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