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Blue Mountains Wildflowers
Smaller Floral Families
This collection includes the flora families of the less dominant species of plants found in the Blue Mountains.

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.

Pink Flannel Flower Pink Flannel Flower
Smaller Families - but certainly not lesser.

This set of wildflowers is "simply" those that belong to smaller floral families - of which there are over 180 families with over 2,000 species in the Blue Mountains. This includes over 600 "introduced species" (weeds).

The largest family is the grasses - Family Poaceae - with over 280 species (including 100 weeds). However, this website doesn't cover this family - yet.

Next is the Family Asteraceae (daisies) with over 220 species (including 70 weeds).

Our Smaller Families Showcase

common name index

* Introduced species (weed)


botanical name index

* Introduced species (weed)




Family APIACEAE

Besides Flannel Flowers and Pennyworts, this family includes carrots and celery and a host of herbs such as parsley, coriander and fennel. Also see our Flannel Flowers web page.

Genus Actinotus - Flannel Flowers

There's 5 Actinotus species in NSW, 4 of which can be found in the Blue Mountains. The 5th, Actinotus paddisonii, is found out west around Bourke.

Pink Flannel Flower
Pink Flannel Flower

Actinotus forsythii
Also known as the Ridge Flannel Flower, this uncommon flower only appears in the season following bush fires.
The flowers are 20mm in diameter.
Sydney Flannel Flower
Sydney Flannel Flower

Actinotus helianthi
Its felt like petals tipped in the softest pale green make this a favourite of many.
The leaves are also a feature of this plant.
The flowers are 50mm in diameter.
Lesser Flannel Flower
Lesser Flannel Flower

Actinotus minor
A small plant with flowers up to 12mm across. Like its siblings, it doesn't have petals, the petal-like part are bracts.
It seems to always be in flower.
Dwarf Flannel Flower
Dwarf Flannel Flower

Actinotus gibbonsii
An uncommon tiny spreading plant that seems to only appear the year after bushfires - similar in behaviour to the Pink Flannel Flower.
Its flowers are about 10mm across.
Here's another image and another.

Other genera in the Apiaceae family

Carrot Tops
Carrot Tops

Platysace linearifolia
Flowering in Autumn, Carrot Tops is best identified by the bouquet of tiny (3mm across) flowers at the end of a long and oblique stalk.
Native Parsnip
Native Parsnip

Platysace lanceolata
This is the mountain heath form whose leaves are broad. A variety found in the Lane Cove National Park has lance like leaves.
Woolly Xanthosia
Woolly Xanthosia

Xanthosia pilosa
This small plant is recognised by its hairy variable leaves and creamy-white flowers.
This image shows the underside of the leaves.
Here's another image and another and another.
Xanthosia scopulicola
Xanthosia scopulicola

This threatened species is only found on cliff faces in the upper Blue Mountains as shown here.
Its white flaky stems helps identify it.
Here's another image and another.

Family APOCYNACEAE

Bearded Tylophora
Bearded Tylophora

Tylophora barbata
A climbing vine recognised by its distinct brown hairy flowers which are 8mm across.
Scented Marsdenia
Scented Marsdenia

Marsdenia suaveolens
A climbing vine with an umbel* of white flowers (5mm wide) in summer. The fruit is 5cm in length.
Here's an image that shows the umbel.
[* umbel: an inflorescence in which all flower stalks arise from one point.]
Common Silkpod
Common Silkpod

Parsonsia straminea
Parsonsia species are distinguished from Marsdenia species by their flowers being in a panicle* and not an umbel.
The leaves of P. straminea are finely reticulated.
[* panicle: a compound inflorescence with a main axis and lateral branches which are further branched.]
Greater Periwinkle
Greater Periwinkle

Vinca major
Introduced species (weed)
A native of the Mediterranean, its blue five petal fan-like flowers identifies it.
It is also known as Blue Periwinkle and Vinca.

Family ARALIACEAE

Elderberry Panax
Elderberry Panax

Polyscias sambucifolia
This species appears to have variable leaves and an evolving set of subspecies.
This image shows its flowers and a leaves.
This image shows its pinnate leaves.
This image shows its developed fruit.
Broad-leaf Star Hair
Broad-leaf Star Hair

Astrotricha latifolia
A tall leggy shrub, that has a baffling appearance when young - see this image. This image was taken a full year before the flowering image.
Its broad leaves can be 20cm long and 8cm wide. The flowers are 4mm wide.
Its light green petals distinguish it from A. longifolia whose petals are whitish.

Family ASTERACEAE

The daisy family (Asteraceae) comprises around 24,000 species distributed worldwide - making it the second largest family of flowering plants in the world after the Orchidaceae (orchids) family's 25,000. They include many horticultural plants (e.g. chrysanthemum, gerbera) and crops (e.g. artichoke, lettuce, stevia, sunflower).
[source: Kew Gardens]

PlantNet shows 970 species in Australia with 225 in the Blue Mountains - a third of these being weeds.

Genus Olearia

There's 59 Olearia species in NSW, of which 16 are in the Blue Mountains.

Silky Daisy Bush
Silky Daisy Bush

Olearia erubescens
The shiny prickly leaves helps identify this species, as does the redness underneath the leaves. The newer leaves are dark red.
Here's another image.
Toothed Daisy-bush
Toothed Daisy-bush

Olearia tomentosa
Recognised by its toothed ovate leaves that also have a small mucro.
[mucro: a short point at the end of a leaf.]
Its leaves are around 40mm long and 20mm wide.
Here's another image and another.
Oak-leaved Olearia
Oak-leaved Olearia

Olearia quercifolia
Its oak shaped leaves more clearly seen from below help identify it.
It is only found in the Blue Mountains.
Rough Daisy-bush
Rough Daisy-bush

Olearia asterotricha
subsp. glaucophylla
Easily identified by its curly leaves the Rough Daisy-bush grows from the Blue Mountains to the Moss Vale district.
Here's another image of its leaves.
Bridal Daisy Bush
Bridal Daisy Bush

Olearia microphylla
Also called Snow Bush and Small-leaved Daisy Bush, its small spoon-shaped leaves are woolly underneath.
Here's another image.

Other Asteraceae species

Calliopsis
Calliopsis

Coreopsis lanceolata
Introduced species (weed)
Prolific and spreading - best describes this plant. It's a native of North America and flowers in late spring and into summer. It's found along railway lines and roadsides.
Scotch Thistle
Scotch Thistle

Onopordum acanthium
subsp. acanthium
Introduced species (weed)
Native of Europe & western Asia.
It is Scotland's floral emblem.
Here's an image of its seeds ready for take off.
Satin Everlasting
Satin Everlasting

Helichrysum leucopsideum
Its mostly papery whorls of bracts help identify it.
The flower on the left of this image is almost ready to release its seeds.
Here's an image of its leaves.
Fireweed
Fireweed

Senecio madagascariensis
Introduced species (weed)
This highly invasive weed from South Africa is toxic to cattle and horses if eaten.
Its 13-15 ray florets (petals) differentiates it from the native Fireweed Groundsel (Senecio linearifolius) that has 4-8.
Here's another image.
Prickly Sowthistle
Prickly Sowthistle

Sonchus asper
Introduced species (weed)
This weed from Europe, could be confused with the Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), but its prickly leaves on its flower stems identifies it.
As does its unique often pinnatisect (cut down to the midrib) leaves.
Fireweed Groundsel
Fireweed Groundsel

Senecio linearifolius var. macrodontus
Identified by its 4-8 ray florets (petals) and the tertiary venation (veins) discernible on the underside of its cobwebby dentate leaves.
N.B. There are 23 Senecio species in the Blue Mountains - several without a description or identification key on PlantNet.
Button Everlasting
Button Everlasting

Coronidium scorpioides
PlantNET notes that "Coronidium scorpioides is the most common and widespread member of the complex".
It is identified by its 30mm wide flowers and a rosette of 90mm long hispid (bristly) leaves each with a mucro.
Flatweed
Flatweed

Hypochaeris radicata
Introduced species (weed)
Identified by its basal leaves and dandelion-like flowers.
Also known as Catsear, its cypsela (dry single-seeded fruit) is typical of most members of the Asteraceae family.
White Burr Daisy
White Burr Daisy

Calotis dentex
A tall plant - by daisy standards - it can be 80cm high. This, and its sessile (stalkless) toothed leaves and white 15-20mm wide flowers help identify it.
Here's an image with a pollinator - a hover fly.

Family CAMPANULACEAE (was LOBELIACEAE)

White Root
White Root

Lobelia purpurascens
Formerly Pratia purpurascens, this delightful little plant with a self explanatory name.
The undersides of its leaves are purplish. Its 10mm flowers appear in the warmer months.
Angel Sword
Angel Sword

Lobelia dentata
This delicate little flower appears in spring and summer. It can have a vibrant electric blue colour, that I have (as yet) been unable to capture.

Family CAPRIFOLIACEAE

Japanese Honeysuckle
Japanese Honeysuckle

Lonicera japonica
Introduced species (weed)
This declared weed is a fast growing scrambling and climbing shrub.
Its toothless leaves and red stems help identify it when not in flower.
Pincushion
Pincushion

Scabiosa atropurpurea
Introduced species (weed)
Pincushion is an ornamental annual from southern Europe. Its flowers are from white to dark-purple.
It ranks as one of South Australia's most commonly recorded weeds.
It has distinct leaves.
Here's an image of it from underneath.

Family CONVOLVULACEAE

Slender Bindweed
Slender Bindweed

Polymeria calycina
Distinguished from other members of the family by its 4 or more stigmatic lobes - these are the yellow ridges in the centre of the flower in this image.
The two large sepals also help identify it.
Here's another image.
Large Bindweed
Large Bindweed

Calystegia sepium subsp. roseata
Its large white flowers - 45mm across - with recurved edges and acute bracteoles help identify this twining plant.
Also occurs in pink or with pink tinges.
Here's another image and another.

Family CUNONIACEAE

There's seven members of the Cunoniaceae family in our Blue Mountains Area of Interest.


River Rose
River Rose

Bauera rubioides
A unique plant - with its pink flowers hanging down and its six leaves radiating from the stem. It flowers in spring and summer and prefers sheltered damp embankments.
It is also known as the Dog Rose.
Here's another image and another.
Black Wattle
Black Wattle

Callicoma serratifolia
With flowers that resemble some of those of the acacia family, this beautiful tree grows over 10 metres high along watercourses. It flowers in spring.
Here's another image.
This image shows its dramatic new growth.
NSW Christmas Bush
NSW Christmas Bush

Ceratopetalum gummiferum
Distinguished at any time by its trifoliate jagged leaves, this tall shrub bursts into colour in summer.
However, the NSW Christmas Bush produces white flowers - as shown here with its pollinators. It's its sepals that turn to red in fruit.

Family DROSERACEAE

The Droseraceae family includes the Venus Fly Trap.

Genus Drosera - Sundews

There's 12 Drosera species in NSW, of which 9 are in the Blue Mountains

Forked Sundew
Forked Sundew

Drosera binata
The Forked Sundew has 2, 4 or 8 "branches" that have glandular hairs that trap insects.
It bears white 10mm wide flowers in summer - whose long stems could be mistaken for belonging to another plant.
Spoon-leaved Sundew
Spoon-leaved Sundew

Drosera spatulata
Found in damp and wet areas, its pink flowers and spatula shaped leaves help identify it.

Family ELAEOCARPACEAE

Genus Tetratheca - Black-eyed Susans

Genus Tetratheca formerly belonged to the Tremandraceae family. This family has now been absorbed into the Elaeocarpaceae family.

The NSW Flora Online describes some 14 species that occur in New South Wales. The species are collectively called Black-eyed Susans, and their similarity to each other provides a real challenge in identifying them.

Black-eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susan

Tetratheca ericifolia
Identified by its recurved, slightly hairy leaves with tubercles (bumps) on the edges and tapered at the end. The leaf is not that dissimilar to that of Banksia ericifolia (except for the tapering at the end).
Black-eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susan

Tetratheca rupicola
Similar to Tetratheca ericifolia but without the hairs and tubercles. Interestingly, its red branchlets are not mentioned in references.

Genus Elaeocarpus

There are 9 species in NSW with 3 in the Blue Mountains. Although they all have "blueberry" in their common name, they are not part of the blueberry family. Blueberries are members of the Heath family.

Mountain Blueberry
Mountain Blueberry

Elaeocarpus holopetalus
Distinguished from E. kirtonii and E. reticulatus by is shorter leaves (3-7cm) and its pubescent (hairy) under surface of its leaves. It flowers in late spring.
Here's a close-up image of its flowers and an image of its berries.
Blueberry Ash
Blueberry Ash

Elaeocarpus reticulatus
Easily recognised when in flower by its delightful fringed 10mm wide flowers - which although usually white, trees with pink flowers can be found.
(This pink variant was found in Jervis Bay.)

Family EUPHORBIACEAE

Broom Spurge
Broom Spurge

Amperea xiphoclada
A small broom-like shrub with characteristic square-ish branches. The inflorescence is about 5mm across.
Wedding Bush
Wedding Bush

Ricinocarpos pinifolius
The plants I have found in the Blue Mountains have been near the edge of north facing cliffs.
The female flower is surrounded by several male flowers. The female flower opening first and having a thicker stalk.
Here's another image and another.

Family GOODENIACEAE

There's six genera of the Goodeniaceae family in the Blue Mountains totalling over thirty species.

Genus Dampiera

There's three Dampiera species recorded as being in the Blue Mountains. The one missing from my collection is Purple Beauty Bush (Dampiera adpressa).

Blue Dampiera
Blue Dampiera

Dampiera stricta
Distinctive, mainly due to its colour. Also identified by its diamond shaped leaves. Flowering most of the year, but best in spring.
Also see our Blue Dampiera web page.
Here's an image of a white variant.
Purple Dampiera
Purple Dampiera

Dampiera purpurea
Although its flowers are very similar to the Blue Dampiera in shape, their purple colour is a give away.
Its oval leaves are also very different.
Genus Goodenia

There's some fifteen Goodenia species recorded as being in the Blue Mountains. Goodenia heterophylla having three subspecies.

Goodenia heterophylla subsp. heterophylla
Goodenia heterophylla
subsp. heterophylla

Sometimes referred to as the Variable-leaved Goodenia, it is distinguished from the other two subspecies by its leaves which have two distinct lobes and glandular hairs.
Here's another image.
Goodenia heterophylla subsp. montana
Goodenia heterophylla
subsp. montana

Distinguished from the other two subspecies by its leaves which have neither lobes nor teeth.
The leaves of the subsp. eglandulosa have prominent teeth and no glandular hairs.
Here's another image.
Goodenia decurrens
Goodenia decurrens

Its initial growth is dangerously disguised as a broad-leaf weed, but once its flowers reveal it is a Goodenia, then its 5-10cm long and 2cm wide toothed sessile* leaves identifies it.
Here's another image.
[* sessile: without a stalk.]
Hop Goodenia
Hop Goodenia

Goodenia ovata
Its large leaves with stalks and toothed margins help identify the Hop Goodenia.
Ivy Goodenia
Ivy Goodenia

Goodenia hederacea subsp. hederacea
Its prostrate form and ivy like leaves help identify the Ivy Goodenia.

Other genera of the Goodeniaceae family

Snake Flower
Snake Flower

Scaevola ramosissima
Also known as the Purple Fan-flower, its distinctive flowers help identify this climber. Its distinguished from other species in this genera by its narrow leaves and flowers on stalks.
Here's images from side on and underneath.
Here's another image.
Purple Coopernookia
Purple Coopernookia

Coopernookia barbata
It was previously called Purple Goodenia (Goodenia barbata).
Its flowers are 15mm wide, and its recurved leaves are 20mm long and 2mm wide.
Here's an image showing a profile of its flower plus a pollinator.
Blue Pincushion
Blue Pincushion

Brunonia australis
Blue Pincushion is the only species in its genus and is endemic to Australia.
It is found in all states, and in NSW away from the coast.
Its flowers are 15mm across.
Its basal leaves help identify it.
Here's another image.

Family LOGANIACEAE

Varied Mitrewort flower bud
There are six species of the Mitrasacme genus (the Mitreworts) in NSW - five of which are probably found in the Blue Mountains.

The orange flower bud is shaped like a bishop's hat - which is called a mitre - thus its name.

Missing from the gallery below are M. alsinoides, M. paludosa and M. pilosa.

Thyme Mitrewort
Thyme Mitrewort

Mitrasacme serpyllifolia
The easiest of the Mitrewort siblings to identify - due to its negligible pedicel (stalk).
[The botanical word for this is "sessile".]
Its flowers are 6mm wide; its leaves are 6mm long and 2mm wide.
Varied Mitrewort
Varied Mitrewort

Mitrasacme polymorpha
Identified by its multiple flowers, it is also leggier (at 25cm) than its siblings.
It has very hairy branches and leaves.
This image shows the multiple flowers.
Narrow-leaf Logania
Narrow-leaf Logania

Logania albiflora
Its bell-like 2-3mm long sweet smelling flowers identifies it.
Here's another image.

Family LORANTHACEAE

Loranthaceae is a family of parasitic shrubs - both terrestrial and aerial.

There's eight species in the Blue Mountains across four genera.

Drooping Mistletoe
Drooping Mistletoe

Amyema pendula subsp. pendula
Often seen high in eucalypts as its foliage is more dense and the leaf colour doesn't quite match.
Its flowers are spectacular and very different to its host.
Louisa's Mistletoe
Louisa's Mistletoe

Atkinsonia ligustrina
This endangered parasitic species is a member of the mistletoe family and is only found in the Blue Mountains.
It's a bush to 2 metres in height.
Its 12mm long fruit matures from yellow to crimson.

Family MALVACEAE

The Malvaceae family includes cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) and the Hibiscus genus.

There's some 25 species of the Malvaceae family in the Blue Mountains across 12 genera including several native hibiscus species.

Rusty Velvet-bush
Rusty Velvet-bush

Lasiopetalum ferrugineum
var. ferrugineum
The distinctive flowers help identify it.
Its narrow leaves are about 10mm wide.
L. ferrugineum var. cordatum has ovate leaves that are up to 40mm wide.
Here's another image and another.
Red Rusty-petals
Red Rusty-petals

Lasiopetalum rufum
Its unique flowers immediately attract attention - especially under them.
The leaves (rusty underneath) help proclaim it as a Lasiopetalum species.
Here's another image and another.

Family OLEACEAE

The Oleaceae family is also known as the olive family. It includes olive, jasmine, ash and lilac species.

There's some 13 species of the Oleaceae family in the Blue Mountains.

Large Mock-olive
Large Mock-olive

Notelaea longifolia
A tree to 9m high. Its distinctive flower spikes (racemes) with a dozen or more flowers help identify it.
Also noted are the conspicuous white lenticels - these are pores.
Small-leaved Privet
Small-leaved Privet

Ligustrum sinense
Introduced species (weed)
Privet trees go unnocied until they flower, then the profusion of flowers with their strong scent, followed by the thousands of berries highlight them.
Also know as Chinese Privet it's a native of Asia.

Family OROBANCHACEAE

Genus Euphrasia - Eyebrights

Formerly included in the Scrophulariaceae family, this semi-parasitic plant's common name of Eyebright refers to the plant's use in treating eye infections.

There's 11 Euphrasia species in NSW, of which 3 are in the Blue Mountains.

Cliff Eyebright
Cliff Eyebright

Euphrasia bowdeniae
Euphrasia bowdeniae only grows in the Upper Blue Mountains, and is classed as vulnerable.
It can be distinguished from other members of the genus by its leaves which have one set of "teeth", and its upper leaves are toothless.
Purple Eyebright
Purple Eyebright

Euphrasia collina subsp. paludosa
The Purple Eyebright is identified by its 3 pairs of "teeth" on its decussate* leaves.
[* decussate: pairs of opposite leaves that are 90o from the next pair.]
There's eight E. collina subspecies in NSW, of which three are in the Blue Mountains.
Purple Eyebright
Purple Eyebright

Euphrasia collina subsp. paludosa
Here's a white form of the "Purple" Eyebright. It was growing with its more colourful siblings.

Family PHYLLANTHACEAE

Family Phyllanthaceae was formerly part of the Euphorbiaceae family - see NSW Flora Online for more details.

Thyme Spurge
Thyme Spurge

Phyllanthus hirtellus
A small shrub whose shiny and hairy leaves are about 6mm long, and are often bent at the tip. The variety that has red male flowers (shown here) only occurs in the Sydney region.
Heath-leaved Poranthera
Heath-leaved Poranthera

Poranthera ericifolia
A small plant to about 30cm high. Its recurved shiny leaves are about 12-15mm in length.
The flower-heads are held at the end of long branching stems and contain both male and female flowers.
The female flowers have red styles - only 3 styles, but they are bifid (divided in two).
The male flowers are shown more clearly on the Lane Cove National Park specimen.
Small  Poranthera
Small Poranthera

Poranthera microphylla
A small ground hugging plant whose flowers are less than 2mm wide and leaves are 10mm long.

Family PICRODENDRACEAE

Family Picrodendraceae was formerly part of the Euphorbiaceae family - see NSW Flora Online for more details.

Rice-flower Pseudanthus
Rice-flower Pseudanthus

Pseudanthus pimeleoides
At first glance it looks like a white dahlia.
(The dahlia is Mexico's national flower.)
Flowering in Spring, the flower head contains multiple flowers. The name Rice-flower Pseudanthus is not widely used.

Family PITTOSPORACEAE

Apple Berry
Apple Berry

Billardiera scandens
Flowering in spring, its 20mm flowers become purple edible fruit. This climber is also known as Dumplings.
Sweet Pittosporum
Sweet Pittosporum

Pittosporum undulatum
A tree to about 8 metres in height, it has scores of white flowers in spring which progress to orange coloured berries by autumn.
Also see our Sweet Pittosporum web-page.
White Marianth
White Marianth

Rhytidosporum procumbens
Also known as Mary's Flower, it is a small plant whose flowers are only 8mm wide.
Bursaria longisepala
Bursaria longisepala

Identified by its thorns and rosettes of dark green leaves, this small shrub is restricted to the Blue Mountains region.
Flowering in summer, its flowers are 8mm across.
Here's another image.
Tarata
Tarata

Pittosporum eugenioides
Introduced species (weed)
A native of New Zealand.
Also known as Lemonwood due to the lemon fragrance of its crushed leaves.
Here's another image.

Family POLYGALACEAE

There are six species of this family in the Blue Mountains. One species is Polygala japonica, the other 5 belong to the Comesperma genus - of which C. retusum and C. volubile have so far alluded me.

Matchheads
Matchheads

Comesperma ericinum
A tall leggy shrub over a metre high. Its mauve flowers appear in spring. Also known as Pyramid Flower, Pink Matchheads and Heath Milkwort.
Fairies’ Wings
Fairies' Wings

Comesperma defoliatum
Also known as Leafless Milkwort, C. defoliatum is about half the size of C. sphaerocarpum and they look very similar.
Broom Milkwort
Broom Milkwort

Comesperma sphaerocarpum
Its wing sepals are 6mm across - compared to that of Fairies' Wings which are 2-3mm across.

Family RANUNCULACEAE

There's several thousand species in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) worldwide and includes Ranunculus (buttercups), Clematis, Delphinium (delphiniums) and Helleborus (hellebores) genera. (Personally it seems odd to have clematis and buttercups in the same family).

Genus Clematis

There's eight species of the Clematis genus in NSW with three in the Blue Mountains.

Headache Vine
Headache Vine

Clematis glycinoides
A spectacular vine when in full bloom.
Its flowers are 40mm across.
Its leaves have few teeth if any and its anther appendage is < 1mm - compared to Clematis aristata whose leaves are more serrated and an anther appendage > 1mm.
Its fruit has a wispy tail to be taken by the wind.
Old Man's Beard
Old Man's Beard

Clematis aristata
Similar to the Headache Vine except for its serrated leaves and longer anther appendage.
Its sepals (not petals) seem to be wider and shorter.
Here's another image.
Mountain Clematis
Mountain Clematis

Clematis montana
Introduced species (weed)
The Mountain Clematis is a native of the mountain areas of Asia. It's a garden escapee.
Its trifoliate leaves distinguish it from the other two Clematis species in the Blue Mountains. It is also deciduous.
Here's another image.

Genus Ranunculus (buttercups)

There's seven Ranunculus species recorded as being in the Blue Mountains with some 4-500 species worldwide.

Creeping Buttercup
Creeping Buttercup

Ranunculus repens
Introduced species (weed)
As PlantNet notes, the Creeping Buttercup is often found forming lush growth in moist disturbed sites. It's a native of Eurasia.
Here's an image of its leaves.

Family RHAMNACEAE

Andromeda Pomaderris
Andromeda Pomaderris

Pomaderris andromedifolia
Pomaderris plants are in bud for months before they bloom, and are also hard to distinguish from each other. I have deduced that the above specimen is Pomaderris andromedifolia, as its flowers are yellow and have petals. Its leaves are 30mm long, 10 mm wide, hairless above, but very felty below.
The name Andromeda Pomaderris is not widely used.
Bitter Cryptandra
Bitter Cryptandra

Cryptandra amara
A tiny plant - its aged-looking branches making it look like a bonsai.
Its spine-like branches and 3mm long obovate leaves help identify it.
Its 3mm long flowers start out white, and then become pink, and eventually are a dusky pink with a "red centre".

Family SANTALACEAE

The family includes the Native Cherry (Exocarpos cupressiformis), the Australian Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) and Quandong (Santalum acuminatum ). Here's an informative treatment of the Santalum genus.

White Sour Bush
White Sour Bush

Choretrum candollei
A blaze of tiny white flowers - barely 2mm wide - in late winter through to summer.
Here's an image of the bush.
Blunt Sandalwood
Blunt Sandalwood

Santalum obtusifolium
Identified by its discolourous* and recurved leaves it is the only species of this genus in the Blue Mountains.
The images captured here are between flowering in November and maturing of the fruit in late summer. The flowers are white and the mature fruit is purple.
[* discolourous: coloured differently on the two surfaces.]

Family SCROPHULARIACEAE
Buddleja
Buddleja

Buddleja davidii
Introduced species (weed)
Fondly known to children as the Butterfly Bush, its flowers and opposite soft leaves easily identify it.
Here's another image.

Family SMILACACEAE

There are two species of this family in NSW - both of which are in the Blue Mountains.

Native Sarsaparilla
Native Sarsaparilla

Smilax glyciphylla
Also known as Sweet Sarsaparilla, this climber is identified by the three veins on its leaves. Its tiny flowers become black berries that are about 7mm across.
Barbwire Vine
Barbwire Vine

Smilax australis
Also known as Lawyer Vine, this leggy scrambling vine has rose like thorns. Its oval shaped leaves are 30mm wide and 40mm long.
Here's another image and another.

Family STACKHOUSIACEAE

There are two species of this family in the Blue Mountains.

Creamy Candles
Creamy Candles

Stackhousia monogyna
Its white tubular 5 petal flowers identify it. The tube is 5mm in length and the flowers appear singly along the stem.
Slender Stackhousia
Slender Stackhousia

Stackhousia viminea
Its distinctive reddy-pale green tubular flowers identifies it. The tube is less than 5mm in length and the flowers appear singly or in small groups along the stem.
Here's another image.

Family STYLIDIACEAE

Genus Stylidium - Trigger-plants

There are 11 species of the Stylidium genus in NSW with 4 in the Blue Mountains. Although their flowers look similar, the different species are distinguished by their leaves.

The hammer-like trigger (column) is used to pollinate any insect that lands on the flower.

Narrow-leaved Triggerplant
Narrow-leaved Triggerplant

Stylidium lineare
The easiest of the triggerplants to identify due to its crowded basal rosette of narrow leaves which are usually about 25mm long and only 1 mm wide.
Here's another image.
Grass Trigger-plant
Grass Trigger-plant

Stylidium graminifolium
Identified by its leggy leaved rosette whose leaves are over 50mm long and up to 250mm, and 5mm wide.
Triggerplant
Triggerplant

Stylidium productum
Identified by its sets of leaves along its aerial branches. Younger plants are hard to distinguish from the Grass Trigger-plant.
The image shows a flower that has two triggers.
Tree Trigger-plant
Tree Trigger-plant

Stylidium laricifolium
Identified by the leaves along its stems.
The colour of the flower varies from nearly white to pink.

Family VIOLACEAE

The Violet Family includes 900 species of violets and pansies worldwide.

Native Violet
Native Violet

Viola hederacea
Found in sheltered and damp areas, it is a fairly common groundcover.
Its leaves are variable, and it is best identified by its white and purple flowers - which are 15mm wide.
Here's another image.
Sandstone Violet
Sandstone Violet

Viola silicestris
This species was only recently classified. Recognised by its small (6mm wide) pale mauve colour flowers, and its rosette.
Here's another image.
Common Dog-violet
Common Dog-violet

Viola riviniana
Introduced species (weed)
Its pink colours helps to identify it - plus its "clumpy" leaves.
Slender Violet-bush
Slender Violet-bush

Hybanthus monopetalus
The genus is called Spade Flowers.
This species is also known as Lady's Slipper, and its multiple flowers on each stem, distinguishes it from H. vernonii.
Tree Violet
Tree Violet

Melicytus dentatus
A tree to 4m high recognised by its 4mm long yellow bell-like flowers and thorns.
Here's another image.

Other families

Forked Comb Fern
Forked Comb Fern

Schizaea bifida
[Family SCHIZAEACEAE]
The fronds of this unusual fern appear in winter and are 15mm wide.
Slender Rice Flower
Slender Rice Flower

Pimelea linifolia ssp. linoides
[Family THYMELAEACEAE]
Its 3cm wide flowers are glorious in close up. The linoides subspecies is a leggy plant and can be well over two 2 metres in height - and this can help identify it.
It is also known as Granny's Bonnet.
Olax
Olax

Olax stricta
[Family OLACACEAE]
This easily identified plant is a uniform dull light green in colour. Its leaves are in two rows on opposite sides of the branch. Its small flowers are about 5mm across.
Black Sassafras
Black Sassafras

Atherosperma moschatum subsp. integrifolium
[Family ATHEROSPERMATACEAE]
Also known as the Southern Sassafras, this winter flowering tree is found near water in sheltered gullies.
It is the only species in this genus.
Here's another image.
Single Bladderwort
Single Bladderwort

Utricularia uniflora
[Family LENTIBULARIACEAE]
Bladderworts are carnivorous plants that take in and digest small organisms through their leaves. This species flower is 14mm wide and 9 mm deep. U. dichotoma is similar but has two flowers.
Small St. John’s Wort
Small St. John's Wort

Hypericum gramineum
[Family CLUSIACEAE]
A sibling of the herb St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum).
The flowers are about 1cm across and the leaves near the flowers are appressed.
Curly Wig
Curly Wig

Caustis flexuosa
[Family CYPERACEAE]
Easily recognised, Curly Wig is also known as Old Man's Beard.
Common Centaury
Common Centaury

Centaurium erythraea
[Family GENTIANACEAE]
Introduced species (weed)
A delightful little annual that took some time to identify. Its pink flowers are 11mm across, and it can be identified from C. tenuiflorum by having a rosette.
Here's another image.
Native Passionfruit
Native Passionfruit

Passiflora herbertiana subsp. herbertiana
[Family PASSIFLORACEAE]
The Native Passionfruit in flower looks like a passionfruit flower.
This image of its fruit also shows, circled in red, the glands on its petiole (leaf stalk).
Here's an image of a leaf.
Pinnate Hop Bush
Pinnate Hop Bush

Dodonaea pinnata
[Family SAPINDACEAE]
Recognised by its distinctive hairy pinnate revolute leaves.
Its characteristic seedpod shows it's a hop bush.
Here's an image of its branch and leaves, and another of its flowers.
Milkmaids
Milkmaids

Burchardia umbellata
[Family COLCHICACEAE]
Its umbel* helps identify it and distinguish it from other family members. This image shows the umbel. Here's another image.
Its flowers are 15mm wide.
[umbel* - flowers or flower stalks arise from one point.]
Narrow-leaved Mint-bush
Narrow-leaved Mint-bush

Prostanthera linearis
[Family LAMIACEAE]
A leggy scrub to 3m ihigh with distinctive mint bush flowers.
Its narrow toothless leaves are less than 40mm in length.
Here's another image and another.
Scarlet Pimpernel
Scarlet Pimpernel

Lysimachia arvensis
[Family PRIMULACEAE]
Introduced species (weed)
This little weed is exquisite in close up.
It's not stoloniferous - that is, its stems don't produce roots at its nodes.
Here's how in looks from a distance.
Also known as the Blue Pimpernel as it comes in red, pink, orange and blue.
Here's another image and another.
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