Identify Australian Tree Species by Leaf Characteristics, Images and Descriptions, OLD & NSW Page 7

Tree Page 7 H - M

Identify Australian Tree Species by Leaf Characteristics OLD & NSW Australia

Identify Australian native and rainforest tree species with descriptions and enlarged images of full tree, bark, leaf and / or flower samples. Detailed information on leaf features bark texture and distribution range are given for each native tree species. All Creative Designs Nambucca & Coffs Harbour® presents native Australian tree images for website design, presentation and identification purposes. Please note all images are copyright and only to be used for non-business purposes. (see copyrights) You are welcome to Contact Us with any questions or feedback regarding Australian tree species and queries regarding commercial use of photos. The content of the web page below is constantly extended, revised and updated. We aim to build up the awareness to the high conservation values Australian rainforest areas deserve.
Identification tree photos are ordered by most used common name in alphabetical order, see page links below.
Tree Pages: 1 A - Bo \| 2 Bo - Br \| 3 C - D \| 4 E - Euca \| 5 F - Figs \| 6 F - G \| 7 H - M \| 8 N - P \| 9 R - S \| 10 S - Syz \| 11 T - V \| 12 W - Z
See our Leaf Characteristic Page for explanations on leaf and vegetative characteristics mentioned in descriptions to the right. Know what you are looking for; use our species list with links to relevant tree images and descriptions. JPG format thumbnail images are 180 x 135px (vertical 135 x 180 px) web optimised. JPG full size images are 800 x 600 px web optimzed (vertical 600 x 800 px). All images copyright © 2007 - 2012 by All Creative Designs® worldwide rights reserved. Click thumbnail images to view full size pictures.	Leaf Characteristics Page Flower Characteristics Page Species List Common & Botanical Reference Resources Back to Gallery

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Hairy Bird's-eye Alectryon tomentosus Other names: Hairy Alectryon
Hairy Bird's-eye Alectryon tomentosus or Hairy Alectryon is a small tree species which can reach a height of about 12m and is found in subtropical and drier forests (Picture 1). Bark on mature specimens is firm and quite smooth in texture and a reddish brown in colour (2). Towards the end of winter masses of small pink to reddish flowers are in blossom (3). The pear-shaped fruit is green in colour, very hairy and measures up to 15 mm in length with mostly three lobes containing 2 or 3 seeds (4). Alternately arranged compound leaves are made up of 4 to 8 leaflets which are; up to 12 cm in length (largest towards the end) elliptic to ovate in shape with regularly toothed margins, dull and mid-green on top, light green and softly hairy beneath, fairly thin with a slightly stiff and papery texture. Leaf apex is acute, base shape is mainly obtuse (rounded). Petiole is short at 2 mm in length and is covered in fine brown hair as are young branches. Venation is clearly visible with prominent mid vein and lateral veins being short hairy on both leaf surfaces (5). Distribution: Central coast of NSW to northern QLD. See also Beach Bird's -eye Alectryon coricaeus (Page 1). View Leaf Characteristics Page for explanations of definitions used.

Hairy Bird's-eye Alectryon tomentosus Hairy Alectryon

Hairy Alectryon Bark Hairy Bird's-eye Alectryon tomentosus

Alectryon tomentosus Flower Hairy Bird's-eye

Hairy Bird's-eye

Hairy Alectryon Bark

Hairy Bird's-eye Flower

Alectryon tomentosus Fruit

Hairy Bird's-eye Leaves

Hairy Lollybush Clerodendrum tomentosum Other names: Hairy Clerodendrum
The Hairy Lollybush or Hairy Clerodendrum Clerodendrum tomentosum is a very attractive native shrub or small tree reaching up to 5m in height and occurring as an under-storey species; in open tall forests, transition zones (wet sclerophyll forests) and sometimes as regrowth along rural roads (as shown). Mature specimens are mostly single stemmed and take on the appearance of a small tree (Picture 1). Bark on mature trees is a greyish brown in colour with a firm and fissured texture (2). Gorgeous white flowers held in large panicles are elongated tubular in shape and measure up to 4 cm in length with long stamens on top and the green calyx showing at the bottom (3). The very unusual and decorative fruit turning from green to a shiny black with age measures up to 10 mm in length and features 4 lobes (chambers) containing a greyish coloured seed each. It sits on top of the now swollen and fleshy calyx which changed to a vivid red in colour and will remain on the shrub for a few weeks after the ripe fruit has fallen (4). Simple leaves with an opposite arrangement are; up to 16 cm in length, broad elliptic to ovate in shape with entire margins (young plants have widely spaced toothed margins), green and dull, finely hairy (especially on veins) on upper surface, densely covered in fine hair below, thin and soft in texture. Leaf apex is acute, base shape varies from rounded to cuneate. The strong petiole is brown in colour, up to 4 cm long and also covered in fine hair. Venation is very prominent showing raised mid and lateral veins on lower leaf surface (5). Distribution: NSW south coast to QLD. See Flower Characteristics Page and Leaf Characteristics Page for information on terms used.

Hairy Lollybush Clerodendrum tomentosum Hairy Clerodendrum

Hairy Lollybush Bark Clerodendrum tomentosum Hairy Clerodendrum

Clerodendrum tomentosum Flower Hairy Lollybush

Hairy Lollybush

Hairy Lollybush Bark

Clerodendrum tomentosum

Hairy Lollybush Fruit

Hairy Lollybush Leaves

Hairy Rosewood Dysoxyllum rufum Other names: Rusty Mahogany
The Hairy Rosewood or Rusty Mahogany Dysoxyllum rufum occurs on margins of subtropical rainforests and in bordering wet sclerophyll forests (Picture 1). Bark is greyish with corky blisters (Image 2). Compound leaves with up to 19 leaflets which are; up to 15 cm long with entire margins, oblong to obovate in shape with a fine covering of hair on the leaflet underside (3). Apex is acute to short acuminate and the base of leaflet is asymmetric in shape (4). The red circle is showing a hairy domatium in vein angle, useful when identifying this native tree species (5). Distribution: From the NSW central coast to central QLD. See Leaf Characteristics Page for explanations of definitions used.

Hairy Rosewood

Hairy Rosewood Bark

Hairy Rosewood Foliage

Dysoxyllum rufum Leaf

Hairy Rosewood Domatia

Hairy Walnut Endiandra pubens
The Hairy Walnut is a small subtropical rainforest species reaching a height up to 15 m (Image 1). Bark is a brown in colour, green is caused by mosses, slighty rough with small fissures (2). Branchlets and young growth is covered in fine rusty brown hair. Leaf arrangement is alternate (3). Fruit can reach up to 8 cm in diameter, turning from red to dark purple when ripening and contains a single brown seed (4). Simple leaves are up to 15 cm long, mostly elliptic but sometimes ovate in shape with entire margins. Leaves have a glossy upper surface with hair on pronounced veins only, whereby underside is densely covered in rusty hair (5). Distribution: Mid-north coast of NSW to southern QLD.

Hairy Walnut

Hairy Walnut Bark

Endiandra pubens

Endiandra pubens Fruit

Hairy Walnut Leaf

Honeysuckle Triunia robusta
Triunia robusta is confined to a small area in southern QLD and was believed to be extinct. It grows as a multi stemmed scrub up to 4m in height (Image 1). Bark is black with cream coloured blisters continuing to small branches and has a firm texture (2). Gorgeous white and purple flowers bloom over autumn and winter (3). Simple leaves in a whorl arrangement of 3 to 5 leaves are; mainly elliptic in shape, up to 14 cm long with entire margins, hairless, dark green and very glossy on the upper surface, light green and glossy on the lower surface. Leaf and petiole which is only up to 4mm long are fleshy and thick. Reticulate venation is pronounced and is a useful feature in identification (4 & 5).

Honeysuckle

Triunia robusta Bark

Honeysuckle Flower

Triunia robusta Leaf 'lower'

Honeysuckle Leaf 'upper'

Hoop Pine Araucaria cunninghamii
The Hoop Pine is a very tall australian pine tree species which attains a height of up to 60 m in its natural habitat of different rainforest and other forest types. Araucaria cunninghamii in this environment has a straight trunk which is branchless to more than half of its height with a dark green crown (Image 1 ). Bark on adult trees is dark brown to black in colour with a rough texture and horizontal fissures (2). Foliage is concentrated towards end of branches giving the species its characteristic appearance (3). Brown seeds are up to 3 cm in length and are covered in papery layers of the cone scales without being winged themselves (4). Leaves are; very closely spaced and spiral around branches, up to 10 mm in length, oblong sheaf-like in shape with entire margins, dark green with a stiff texture. Leaf apex is acute ending in a fine prickly point, whereas the base joints the branch without a visible petiole (5). Distribution: NSW mid-north coast QLD.

Araucaria cunninghamii Hoop Pine Foliage

Hoop Pine

Hoop Pine Bark

Araucaria cunninghamii

Hoop Pine Seed

Hoop Pine Leaves

Hovea Hovea acutifolia Other names: There are no common names recorded, but Pointed Leaf Hovea and Purple Pea Bush are used.
The Hovea Hovea acutifolia is a single stemmed native shrub reaching a height of 4m occurring on margins of rainforests and within open tall forests (Photo 1). Bark is a light brown in colour with a slightly rough and fine fissured texture (2). This normally inconspicuous shrub is very noticable in early spring when masses of purple flowers appear. Flowers are held in small clusters of up to 3 in nearly every axillary joint over all branches and are up to 12 mm across with a yellow to green center (3). The fruit pod is up to 20 mm in length and contains 1 or 2 bean shaped seeds (4). Evenly spaced alternately (two ranked) arranged leaves are; up to 7 cm in length, mostly narrow elliptic in shape with entire margins, dark green and nearly hairless on top, shortly grey hairy beneath with a firm texture. Apex is acute, base shape is attenuate. Petiole is 2 to 3 mm in length. Mid vein is raised and covered in dense rusty coloured hair (as are young stems), laterals and net veins are visible (5). Distribution: NSW central coast to QLD. Note: This species belongs to the family of Fabaceae (Peas & Beans) and as legume has the ability to improve soil nutrients where it is growing.

Hovea Flower Hovea acutifolia Purple Pea Bush

Hovea acutifolia

Hovea Bark

Hovea Flower

Hovea acutifolia

Hovea acutifolia Leaves

Ivory Curl Flower Buckinghamiana celsissima
This well known tree species with a dense canopy grows up to 30 m in height in its natural habitat at higher altitudes in North QLD (Image 1). Bark is grey / brown in colour with a firm texture and a granular surface (2). Sprays of striking white flowers cover the tree in early summer on the Mid-north Coast of NSW (3). Mature simple leaves with an alternate arrangement are; up to 20 cm long with entire margins, elliptic to obovate in shape hairless, dark green and glossy on top, light green below with a firm texture. Apex is acute, base shape is cuneate to acuminate. Mid vein is raised and a pale yellow colour on both surfaces, lateral veins are numerous and well visible. New growth can be pink to red (4 & 5). Distribution: Northern QLD, but extensively used as a street or ornamental tree in NSW.

Ivory Curl Flower Tree

Ivory Curl Flower Bark

Buckinghamiana celsissima

Ivory Curl Flower Leaves

Ivory Curl Leaf surfaces

Jackwood Cryptocarya glaucescens Other names: Silver Sycamore
Native rainforest tree species attaining a height of more than 25m with a dense crown (Image 1). Bark is coloured a reddish brown and has a firm and fissured texture (2). Dense foliage which bears a resemblance to the introduced Camphor Laurel Cinnamomum camphora is a mid green in colour and medium glossy on top with a grey green and often blotchy underside (3). Fruit which ripens over winter is coloured black, up to 20mm across with a very bumpy surface and hard texture (4). Simple leaves with an alternate arrangement are up to 12 cm long; elliptic to oblong in shape and hairless. Center vein, petiole and young branches are identified by their distinctive yellow colour. Underside of leaf features a grey waxy coating and darker blotches, especially after bruising. Leaves are strongly scented emitting a camphor like smell (5). Distribution: NSW south coast to central QLD. See Leaf Characteristics Page for explanations of definitions used.

Jackwood

Jackwood Bark

Cryptocarya glaucescens

Cryptocarya glaucescens Fruit

Jackwood Leaf

Kamala Red Mallotus philippensis Other names: Orange Kamala
Small under storey tree species which is often found on margins of subtropical and within other rainforests types, in sclerophyll forests and in regrowth areas. Under favourable conditions the Red Kamala can attain a height of more than 10 m and often develops a dense crown (Image 1). Bark on mature specimens is hard with a fairly smooth texture, mostly shades of grey green in colour with patches where fine fissuring exposes a brown underlayer (2). Small greenish yellow flowers are held on racemes which are up to 20 cm in length, covered in fine brown hair and bloom over spring (3). The fruit is a tough and 3 lobed (chambered) capsule, orange to red in colour which splits lengthwise to reveal 3 hard and brownish coloured seeds (4). Simple leaves with an alternate arrangement are; up to 22 cm long with mostly entire margins, ovate to wide lanceolate in shape, mid-green and hairless on top, a greyish green colour and covered in fine hair below, rather thin and soft in texture. Leaf apex is acute, base shape is rounded. The three prominent veins in the lower half of the leaf are a characteristic vein arrangement for the species. The long petiole which is hairy and can be more than 8 cm in length is a distinctive feature in identification (5). Distribution: From NSW central coast to QLD. See Flower Characteristics Page and Leaf Characteristics Page for information on terms used.

Kamala Red

Red Kamala Bark

Mallotus philippensis

Red Kamala Fruit & Seed

Red Kamala Leaves

Kangaroo Apple Solanum aviculare
The Kangaroo Apple Solanum aviculare is a common multi-stemmed shrub up to 4m in height with a very wide distribution and is found in a range of different forest types (Images 1 & 2). Bark on mature specimens is a light grey-green colour, fairly rough with small blisters and fine longitudinal fissures (3). Flowers are violet to blue in colour with a yellow center measuring about 3 cm across. . Simple alternate leaves are; up to 20 cm long, varied in shape elliptic or lobed with entire margins, hairless and green on both surfaces, soft and rather thin in texture. Leaf apex is acute and base shape is cuneate to attenuate. Venation is prominent on both sides with mid vein and laterals being noticeably raised on lower surface (5) Distribution: VIC, NSW & QLD.

Kangaroo Apple

Solanum aviculare

Kangaroo Apple Bark

Kangaroo Apple Flower

Kangaroo Apple Leaves

Long-leaved Bitter Bark Petalostigma triloculare Other names: Forest Quinne
Multi stemmed shrub or small tree species depending on conditions, found on margins of STRf or in more open tall forests reaching a height of up to 15 m (Images 1 & 2). Bark is firm with regular longitudinal fissures and brown in colour (3). Long-leaved Bitter Bark sets an abundance of fruit in late autumn which is orange in colour and up to 20 mm across (4). Stems, petioles and underside of leaves are covered in fine whitish hair. Simple leaves are; elliptic in shape with entire margins, up to 8 cm long and medium glossy on upper surface. Lower leaf surface is grey green in colour with a silky texture (4 & 5). Distribution: NSW mid-north coast to central QLD.

Petalostigma triloculare Trunk Long-leaved Bitter Bark

Petalostigma triloculare Bark Long-leaved Bitter Bark

Long-leaved Bitter Bark

Petalostigma triloculare

Long-leaved Bitter Bark

Long-leaved Bitter Bark Fruit

Long-leaved Bitter Bark Leaves

Long-leaved Native Olive Notelaea longifolia Other names: Large Mock-Olive
This native shrub or small tree species fewer than 10m in height has a wide distribution range in different types of rain and other tall forests (Picture 1). Bark is quite rough with blisters and small fissures; colour is a dark grey (2). The Long-leaved Native Olive also called Large Mock-Olive shown is Notelaea longifolia occurring from the NSW central coast to southern QLD (3). Flower buds appear in mid to late winter developing into a black coloured olive shaped fruit (4). Opposite arranged simple leaves are; up to 15 cm in length with entire margins, lanceolate to narrow elliptic in shape, firm, smooth and quite leathery in texture, nearly hairless (compared to other forms), dark green, satin glossy on top and lighter green underneath. Apex is long acute with a fine point, base shape is cuneate. Venation is visible on both sides (5). Special identification characteristics are 2 or 3 fine hairy axillary buds stacked together. Distribution: (Three different forms) from NSW southcoast to central QLD.

Large Mock-Olive Bark Notelaea longifolia

Notelaea longifolia form intermedia Long-leaved Native Olive

Long-leaved Native Olive

Large Mock-Olive Bark

Notelaea longifolia

Large Mock-Olive Flower Buds

Long-leaved Olive Leaves

Long-leaved Paperbark Melaleuca leucadendra Other names: Weeping Paperbark, Broad-leaved Teatree
The first image is showing the Long-leaved Paperbark Melaleuca leucadendra in a tropical lowland paperbark forest and swamp. Here this species is a tall tree and can attain a height of more than 40m whereby in drier and less fertile environments it may only reach 20m (1). Image 2 is showing an ornamental specimen flowering on the NSW north coast (2). Bark is a whitish grey in colour, soft and papery in texture (3). Cream white coloured flowers are borne on spikes up to 15 cm in length (4). Alternately arranged simple leaves are; up to 18 cm long, narrow lanceolate in shape with entire margins, rather thick and firm. Apex narrows very gradually into a fine point, base shape is attenuate and sometimes oblique. Venation is rather faint showing 3 to 5 longitudinal veins (5). Distribution: Coastal tropical QLD. See also Paperbark Melaleuca quinquenervia Page 8. See Leaf Characteristics Page for explanations of definitions used.

Long-leaved Paperbark Melaleuca leucadendra QLD

Long-leaved Paperbark Melaleuca leucadendra NSW

Long-leaved Paperbark Bark Melaleuca leucadendra

Long-leaved Paperbark

Long-leaved Paperbark Bark

Melaleuca leucadendra Flower

Long-leaved Paperbark Leaves

Macleay Laurel Anopterus macleayanus
The Macleay Laurel Anopterus macleayanus is an attractive and unusual under storey tree species found in different types of rainforests. In undisturbed subtropical rainforests it can reach a height of 15 m or more (Image 1). Mature specimens feature a distinctive bark which is red brown in colour and covered in warts (2). Beautiful white flowers up to 10 mm in diameter bloom in early spring (3). The growing bud and fleshy petioles on young shoots are coloured bright red and are good identification characteristics (4). Large simple leaves arranged in a whorl of up to 5 leaves below the growing bud are; up to 35 cm long, mostly oblanceolate in shape with finely toothed margins, hairless, dark green and glossy on top, paler and glossy beneath with a smooth, firm texture. Leaf apex is acute, base shape is acuminate. Petiole up to 30 mm long changes colour to green on older leaves (5). Distribution: NSW mid-north coast to QLD.

Anopterus maclayanus Macleay Laurel Trunk

Macleay Laurel Flower Anopterus maclayanus

Macleay Laurel

Anopterus macleayanus

Macleay Laurel Flower

Macleay Laurel Leaf Bud

Macleay Laurel Leaf

Maiden's Blush Sloanea australis Other names: Blush Alder
This beautiful tree grows to a height of up to 30m with buttress roots developing on older specimens and occurs within subtropical rainforests (Image 1). Bark on mature trees is dark brown in colour with furrows and blisters (2). Stunning sprays of white flowers with yellow centers bloom in spring (3), followed by fruit capsules ripening in late summer containing up to three seeds covered in a red aril. Old seed capsules found around the base of Maiden's Blush trees can help in identification of this species (4). Simple (1-foliolate) leaves with an alternate arrangement are; mostly obovate in shape, up to 20 cm long with toothed or crenate margins, dark green and glossy on top, lighter green below, hairless, strong with a firm texture. Leaf apex is short acuminate ending in a blunt point; base is tapering into a rounded end. Petiole is up to 30 mm in length and features a pronounced pulvinus. Mid rib, laterals and net veins are pronounced and raised on lower leaf surface (5).(See Leaf Characteristics) Distribution: From the south-coast of NSW to subtropical QLD. Young shoots and petioles are not covered in hair compared to its relative the Yellow Carabeen (Sloanea woollsii) Page 12.

Maiden's Blush

Sloanea australis Bark

Sloanea australis Flower

Maiden's Blush Fruit

Maiden's Blush Leaf

Maiden's Wattle Acacia maidenii
The Maiden's Wattle is a common and widespread native tree species reaching a height of up to 20m under favourable conditions or a tall multi-stemmed shrub in an exposed environment (Picture 1). Bark is a greyish brown in colour and rather stringy and fissured on older specimens (2). Attractive flower spikes up to 8 cm long feature bright yellow buds opening into white and cream coloured flowers which turn a pale yellow colour when maturing (Pictures 3 & 4). Simple leaves (phyllodes) with an alternate arrangement are; up to 16 cm in length with entire margins, mostly narrow elliptic in shape and sometimes curved, mid-green and rather dull on top, similar below, hairless with a firm and slightly stiff texture. Leaf apex is acute ending in a fine point, base shape is cuneate. Venation is rather faint with up to 5 longitudinal main veins showing (5). Distribution: From VIC to QLD. See Leaf Characteristics Page for explanations of definitions used.

Maiden's Wattle Flowering Acacia maidenii

Maiden's Wattle

Maiden's Wattle Bark

Maiden's Wattle Flowering

Acacia maidenii Flower

Maiden's Wattle Leaves

Malletwood Rhodamnia argentea
The Malletwood Rhodamnia argentea is a widespread small to medium sized tree species growing to a height of 20 m and is found along margins and in different types of rainforests and adjacent tall forests (Image 1). Bark is brown in colour with a rough and stringy texture on younger specimens; turning a reddish brown with a softer and more fibrous texture on older trees (Picture 2). Small white flowers are held separately on 1 - 2 cm long stalks or up to 4 in a small raceme, appearing in axillary joints on outer branchlets and bloom over spring (3). Mature simple leaves with an opposite leaf arrangement are; up to 12 cm in length, elliptic to ovate in shape with entire margins, mid-green and semi glossy to dull on upper surface, whitish or yellowish green below with a quite firm texture. Leaf apex is acute to short acuminate ending in a blunt point, base shape is cuneate. Hairy petiole measures 5 mm on average. Underside of leaf is covered in very fine and soft hair with three pronounced veins often being a yellowish colour (4 & 5). Distribution: NSW central coast to QLD.

Malletwood

Malletwood Bark

Rhodamnia argentea Flower

Malletwood Leaves

Leaf Lower Surface

Marbled Baloghia Baloghia marmorata Other names: Jointed Baloghia
The Jointed or Marbled Baloghia Baloghia marmorata is a rare native shrub or small tree below 10m in height occurring in subtropical rainforest (Image 1). Bark is a cream to light brown in colour with a firm texture and features fine fissures (2). Clusters of white flowers are held on long stems up to 18 cm in length together with two opposite leaves normally less than 10 cm long (3). 3 or 4 simple leaves are clustered below the growing bud, changing to an alternate arrangement when maturing (4). Leaves are; up to 15 cm in length with entire margins, long elliptic to oblanceolate in shape, glossy on both surfaces, hairless, medium thick and leathery. Apex is mostly short acuminate, base is attenuate in shape. Petiole is up to 5 cm long, slender but strong and stiff. The mid vein is raised on lower surface in the bottom half of the leaf only (5). Distribution: Rare in northern NSW to south QLD.

Marbled Baloghia Bark Baloghia marmorata

Marbled Baloghia Flower Baloghia marmorata

Jointed Baloghia Foliage Baloghia marmorata

Marbled Baloghia

Marbled Baloghia Bark

Marbled Baloghia Flower

Jointed Baloghia

Marbled Baloghia Leaves

We attempt to properly describe any tree species shown on this web page and cross referenced images using these sources. It is recommended to cross reference your plant material or photographs with the resource list provided when identifying tree species. A personal interest into our native forest species for more than twenty years provided the images, descriptions and measurements for any tree species shown. Information on distribution range of tree species has been collected using a selection of sources (see link above). The target of these web pages is to show the diversity and magnificence of our remaining rainforests areas. Our aim is to build up the awareness to the high conservation values these subtropical and tropical rainforest areas deserve. Please note all images are copyright, watermarked and not to be used without prior permission by All Creative Designs® worldwide rights reserved.
Tree Pages: 1 A - Bo \| 2 Bo - Br \| 3 C - D \| 4 E - Euca \| 5 F - Figs \| 6 F - G \| 7 H - M \| 8 N - P \| 9 R - S \| 10 S - Syz \| 11 T - V \| 12 W - Z

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