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Australian Plants
Australia has areas ranging from deserts and temperate climates to tropical rainforest, giving it an enormous variety of plant life much of which is not seen anywhere else in the world. Ask questions about plants native to Australia here.
244 Questions
What is a Sturt's desert peas adaptations?
Sturt's Desert Pea occurs in arid woodlands and on open plains, often as an ephemeral following heavy rain. It is able to withstand the marked extremes of temperature experienced in inland deserts, and light frosts are tolerated by established plants.
Seeds have a hard seed coat, which protects them from harsh arid environments until the next rainfall.
Once germinated, seedlings quickly establish a deep
taproot, vital for desert survival.
How many species of plants are in Australia?
Australia has a variety of native flora well suited to its dry climate, and which also adapt to the flooding of its vast plains.
- Eucalyptus - the well-known 'gum trees' with over 600 species in Australia, including Tasmania's emblem, the Tasmanian Blue Gum
- Acacia, known more commonly as the wattle tree - many species exist throughout Australia, in all conditions, as it is a highly adaptable plant; Australia's national floral emblem is the Golden Wattle
- Banksia - named by botanist Sir Joseph Banks who was with Captain Cook when he charted Australia's eastern coast
- Blackboy, or grass trees
- Bunya Pine, Wollemi Pine, Hoop Pine
- Callistemon, also known as the bottlebrush
- Casuarina
- Common heath, floral emblem of Victoria
- Correa, a small to medium sized shrub
- Epacris, also known as Common Heath
- Eremophila, also known as the Emu-Bush
- Dryandra, closely related to the banksia
- Eremophila, also known as the Emu bush
- Ferns - many varieties, particularly common in rainforests
- Fabaceae, also common to rainforests, tropical and temperate zones - includes a variety of herbs, vines, shrubs, trees, and lianas
- Hakea
- Grevillea (spider flower) - related to Hakeas. One example is the Silky Oak (Grevillea robusta).
- Hardenbergias - vines with beautiful pea flowers
- Leptospermum, more commonly known as the tea-tree
- Leschenaultia, a beautiful Western Australian wildflower
- Kangaroo paw, an unusual flower from the western half of the continent, and the floral emblem of WA
- Kurrajong
- Mallee
- Melaleuca
- Mulga
- Native Hibiscus, different to the exotic hibiscus favoured by many gardeners
- Isopogon and petrophile - low growing shrubs
- Melaleuca, another very adaptable and versatile species
- Moreton Bay Fig
- Palm trees, such as the Pandanus Palm, Alexandra (King) Palm, Cabbage Tree Palm and Foxtail
- Sturt's Desert Rose and Sturt's Desert Pea, both desert flowering shrubs, and the emblems of NT and SA respectively
- Vines such as the Strangler Fig
- Waratah (NSW floral emblem)
- Triodia, also known as spinifex grass, which grows in the desert
- Zygochloa, another desert grass
One could also add the Norfolk Island Pine (Auracaria heterophylla) which is in the same genus as Bunya Pine. However, it is not found naturally on the Australian mainland, but is native to the Australian offshore territory of Norfolk Island.
In which season does the Sturt desert pea grow?
Sturt's desert pea is found in arid woodlands and bushland, open plains and desert areas of central Australia, spreading in its distribution through all mainland states except Victoria.
It is not found in Tasmania.
What plants are in the Great Victoria Desert?
The Great Victoria Desert, despite being a desert, has a vast array of native plants. These include: Mallee, Black desert oak, marble gums, Spinifex, Grevilleas, acacia, parakeelya, leschenaultia, hibbertia, wildflowers
What kind of plants and trees live in Australia?
There are a variety of native and non-native plants and trees found in Australia.
- Eucalyptus - the well-known 'gum trees' with over 600 species in Australia, including Tasmania's emblem, the Tasmanian Blue Gum
- Acacia, known more commonly as the wattle tree - many species exist throughout Australia, in all conditions, as it is a highly adaptable plant; Australia's national floral emblem is the Golden Wattle
- Banksia - named by botanist Sir Joseph Banks who was with Captain Cook when he charted Australia's eastern coast
- Blackboy, or grass trees
- Bunya Pine, Wollemi Pine, Hoop Pine
- Callistemon, also known as the bottlebrush
- Casuarina
- Common heath, floral emblem of Victoria
- Correa, a small to medium sized shrub
- Epacris, also known as Common Heath
- Eremophila, also known as the Emu-Bush
- Dryandra, closely related to the banksia
- Eremophila, also known as the Emu bush
- Ferns - many varieties, particularly common in rainforests
- Fabaceae, also common to rainforests, tropical and temperate zones - includes a variety of herbs, vines, shrubs, trees, and lianas
- Hakea
- Grevillea (spider flower) - related to Hakeas. One example is the Silky Oak (Grevillea robusta).
- Hardenbergias - vines with beautiful pea flowers
- Leptospermum, more commonly known as the tea-tree
- Leschenaultia, a beautiful Western Australian wildflower
- Kangaroo paw, an unusual flower from the western half of the continent, and the floral emblem of WA
- Kurrajong
- Mallee
- Melaleuca
- Mulga
- Native Hibiscus, different to the exotic hibiscus favoured by many gardeners
- Isopogon and petrophile - low growing shrubs
- Melaleuca, another very adaptable and versatile species
- Moreton Bay Fig
- Palm trees, such as the Pandanus Palm, Alexandra (King) Palm, Cabbage Tree Palm and Foxtail
- Sturt's Desert Rose and Sturt's Desert Pea, both desert flowering shrubs, and the emblems of NT and SA respectively
- Vines such as the Strangler Fig
- Waratah (NSW floral emblem)
- Triodia, also known as spinifex grass, which grows in the desert
- Zygochloa, another desert grass
One could also add the Norfolk Island Pine (Auracaria heterophylla) which is in the same genus as Bunya Pine. However, it is not found naturally on the Australian mainland, but is native to the Australian offshore territory of Norfolk island.
Some of the non-native plants include popular ornamental garden flowers such as gerberas, nasturtiums, marigolds, rhododendrons, carnations, roses and so on. Lantana is a pervasive introduced species. Trees which are non-native include frangipani, jacaranda, poinciana, poinsettia, oak, elm and Monterey pine, to name a few.
Are hedgehogs native to Australia?
They are native to Europe, Asia, Africa, and New Zealand.
they originate in green hill zone! lol just kidding they are native in Europe though
Go to the related link below for more details.
What eats a Tasmanian blue gum tree?
Various insects will eat the bark and sapofgum trees.
Koalas and Greater Gliderseat gum leaves and flowers, whilst wombats will sometimes eat the leaves and shoots around the base of very young trees. Possums and gliders will eat nectar-laden flowers, as will many species of parrots and honeyeaters.
What is the shape of rainbow eucalyptus?
They could be the most giant tree or the smallest tree in the world but know one really knows except the people who visit them in the forest. And brave people be they!!!
It smells like menthol cough drops. Eucalyptus trees grow very fast and are resistant to disease, but not many sorts of wildlife live among them. They have been introduced to South America, were they cover many hectares and are considered by many an invasive species.
What are the names of Australian softwood trees?
There are many native Australian trees that provide good softwoods. One of the first was Red Cedar, a rainforest tree. This tree was heavily logged, however, and so is now almost unavailable. It is also officially a hardwood, although it's timber is very soft and easily worked. Another similar soft 'hardwood' is Blackwood, an acacia found in North West Tasmania. Australia has some native true softwoods, like the Kauri Pine, also almost completely logged out, with most remaining specimens in National Parks. These days, most softwoods in use in Australia are imported or introduced conifers like Hoop and Caribbean pines.
What is the common name of eucalyptus leaves?
The most common name for the eucalyptus tree is gum tree. This is because eucalyptus trees exude a sticky resin, or gum.
The kangaroo paw is a small, flowering shrub native to the far southwestern corner of Western Australia. This is the only place where these plants grow in the wild. They can grow in a variety of habitats, from coastal heath to the edge of swamps and rivers, and grassland to light bushland.
Is a bottle brush plant a native Australian plan?
The bottlebrush, of the genus Callistemon, is a native plant of Australia, found in many parts of coastal and inland Australia.
To see photos of the bottlebrush, see the related link.
The eucalyptus is a native Australian tree.
The name "eucalyptus" comes from the Greek eu, meaning "well", and kalyptos, meaning "cover." It is called this because it of ts "gumnuts", or solid, woody, well-covered flower buds.
Sturt's Desert Pea is a legume, but does not taste pleasant. Nonetheless, it is quite safe and non-toxic.
What height do Eucalyptus trees grow to?
There is so much variation in the height of eucalyptus trees and the height depends on the species. The smallest are around 6 feet and the tallest is around 330 feet. There are over 500 species of eucalypts. Growing conditions can also greatly affect the mature height.
How many Eucalyptus species are there in Australia?
New eucalyptus species and subspecies are regularly being recognised, so it is hard to give a definitive answer. Currently, there are over 900 eucalyptus species and subspecies, and over 600 are native to Australia.
How do you care for red kangaroo paw?
There is no plant simply called the "kangaroo plant", but there is a native Australian shrub called the Kangaroo paw which can be difficult to grow in the eastern states - and almost impossible in the north. The native habitat of the kangaroo paw is in Western Australia, where the climate is dry and the soil is sandy and well-drained. Thus, they need a position in full sun, in sandy soil where their roots are not continuously damp or will not become waterlogged after rain. Start by digging a large hole and adding some potting mix suitable for native Australian plants. Kangaroo paw benefit from having some organic material (such as composted leaf litter) added to the soil. It is a good idea also to include a low-release fertiliser which is made for Australian plants. Do not add "Blood and Bone", as this can damage native plants.
While the plants are being established, water them every couple of days, but after they are established they should only be watered during hot, dry periods, and then only occasionally. A little seaweed-based soil tonic such as Seasol is good during the initial establishment period as well.
What plant life is in the Great Barrier Reef?
Well The Great Barrier reef in a sense is living as Coral is a living, breathing organism. It terms yes it does support Algae and a wide rang of fish such as the:
- yellow-faced angelfishes
- fusiliers
- blue tuskfishes
- cardinal fishes
- tervallies
- gobies
- Mandarin fishes
Which country is the original home of the eucalyptus tree?
Eucalyptus trees are most commonly associated with Australia, as certain species form the sole food source for koalas. In Australia they are called "gum trees". However, other species of eucalyptus trees can be found in New Zealand, China, India, Thailand, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria, Brazil, USA and Italy.
What famous tree is found at Cooper Creek?
Cooper Creek is the home of the Dig Tree, a large, old coolibah. It marks the site of one of Australia's most tragic stories of miscommunication resulting in death.
Burke and Wills were two explorers who, with a huge party of men and supplies, departed Melbourne in August 1860 to cross Australia to the Gulf of Carpentaria in the north and back again. Burke was an impatient leader who was keen to cross the continent quickly, so he made several bad decisions. One was his decision to leave part of his party first at Menindee, then again more of the party at a depot at Cooper Creek. Burke then raced ahead in the heat of mid-summer to cross to the Gulf and back again, with just Wills, his second-in-command, and two other men, Gray and King.
The men who were left at Cooper Creek were to return to Menindee if Burke's small party did not return in three months. Travelling to the Gulf and back took over four months, and along the way Gray died. The men spent a full day burying Gray's body. When Burke returned to Cooper Creek, he discovered a message carved on a large coolibah tree at the depot. The tree became known as the "Dig Tree" because the message gave instructions to dig for the supplies the other men.
Burke made another mistake when he left the Dig tree to try to reach the police station at Mt Hopeless, 240km away. he did not leave any reply message he had seen the first message on the Dig tree, so when a rescue party returned to Cooper Creek, ,they found no sign that anyone from Burke's small party had been there. Through a series of misundertsandings and lack of communication, no rescue party ever reached Burke and Wills. King was saved by local Aborigines, and it was he who relayed what had happened to the other three men.
In September 1861, the cache beneath the Dig tree, was dug up, and only then was found the evidence that Burke and Wills had been there, had eaten the rations, and had headed for Mt hopeless. Had the cache been dug up earlier, Burke and Wills' movements could have been tracked and the tragedy avoided.
