Native Flora of the Southern Highlands

The most extensive gardens of the Southern Highlands are those created by Nature herself.

There are many thousands of examples of native flora - much of it unique to the Highlands - which can be found in the bushland, the forests, and the wilderness areas which surround it.

Thanks to an interest in preserving this heritage, many of these beautiful plants and flowers are also being propogated by local nurseries for reafforestation and so they can be planted in the grounds of the homes of the area.

Some of these we will feature here. As we add to our collection, we will bring you more.

So enjoy these beautiful examples of the Australian countryside, and do come back to see what's new.

Open Forest and woodlands.

	Acacia decurrens Also known as the Queen, Green, or Early Black Wattle. (The wattle tree is a floral symbol of Australia.) Found NSW, QLD and VIC. Grows extensively in the Highlands. Evergreen, up to 15m. Perfumed flowers appearing in spring with beautiful yellow balls. Bark is poisonous and once used by aborigines for fishing and as medicine.
	Acacia Floribunda Also known as the Gossamer Wattle. Grows also E. VIC, NSW, and QLD. Evergreen, up to 3m. Pale yellow flowers appearing in prolific spikes in spring, giving a spectacular display of colour.
	Banksia spinulosa Also known as the Honeysuckle Banksia. Grows also elsewhere in NSW, QLD and VIC. Evergreen to 3m, with dense foliage to 2m spread. Flowers are up to 18cm. long and attract native birds for their nectar. Flowers appear spring through to autumn.
	Bauera rubiodes Also known as the River Rose or Dog Rose. Grows throughout eastern Australia including Tasmania and S.A. Evergreen to 2m. The flowers are tiny and a delicate pink, growing on straggly stems; appear spring to summer.
	Boronia deanei Native to NSW, specifically the Southern Highlands. Compact, evergreen shrub to 1m. Thin spiky leaves on long stems. Flowers are pale pink, star shaped, and perfumed; profuse in spring. This variety used to grow profusely in Morton National park near Bundanoon, for which a festival was once held. Rarely seen after devastating bushfires of 1960s.
	Brachycome multifida Also known as the Cut Leaf or Rock Daisy. Perennial, grows to .3m as compact shrub. Smooth, tufted stem, compact shape, with blue, pink or white flowers 2cm. across with daisy appearance. Flowers spring to summer.
	Callistemon subulatus Grows NSW and VIC. Evergreen to 3m. Long rough bark stems. Flowers are bright red cylindrical brush-shaped, about 6cm. long. Flowers appear spring to summer, leaving behind a small nut-shaped seed.
	Hakea salicifolia Also known as the willow-leaved Hakea. Grows NSW and QLD. Evergreen to 3.5m. An upright shrub with long pale green leaves. Flowers are pale yellow to white, and appear in small dense clusters among the leaves in spring and summer.
	Indigophera australis Grows extensively in Australia. Evergreen shrub to 2.5m. Light green, soft leaves with mauve to pink flowers in drooping heads in spring and summer.
	Leptospermum flavescens Also known as the Tantoon Tea Tree. Compact evergreen shrub to 3 metres with thin stiff light-green leaves. Profuse and fragrant 5 petalled flowers in spring to summer.
	Olearia Phlogopappa Erect shrub to 1.5 metres high and 1 metre across. Has oblong, greyish leaves and daisy-like flowers (this example mauve) which cover the shrub in spring. Found also in ACT, Victoria and Tasmania..
	Westringia longifolia Grows in NSW and QLD. Compact evergreen shrub to 2m. with thin bright green leaves. Profuse delicate white flowers in spring.

Heathland.

Epacris longiflora Also known as the native Fuchsia. Native to NSW, grows in open sunny position among low shrubs and grasses. Evergreen to 2m. Long thin stems with short broad leaves. The flowers are bright red with white tips, long and tubular in shape; appear winter to spring.

Rainforest.

Pittosporum Undulatum Also known as Sweet Pittosporum. Native to rainforests in E. Australia and TAS. Evergreen to 14m. Long bright green glossy leaves. Cream, 5 petalled bell shaped flowers with fragrant aroma appear in spring which later give orange berries.

Trees.

Eucalyptus cypellocarpa Also known as the Mountain Grey Gum. Native of the Grampians in VIC and the Highlands and Tablelands of NSW. Evergreen to 70m sometimes growing to 2m across the trunk. Tall branching tree with long narrow dark green leaves, and small white flowers appearing in summer.

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