Australian Tree Species Identification by Vegetative Characteristics Page 8

Tree Page 8 N - P

Native Australian Tree Species Identification by Vegetative Characteristics

Use our Australian native and rainforest tree pictures showing full tree, bark, leaf and / or flower samples accompanied by detailed descriptions. Comprehensive 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 rainforest tree image 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 pictures are ordered by common name in alphabetical order, view species list for botanical 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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Picture 5

Narrow-leaved Orangebark Maytenus silvestris
This native shrub or small tree is found in sclerophyll forests adjacent to rainforests and in dryer open woodlands dominated by Eucalyptus species (Picture 1). Freshly exposed bark is an orange-brown in colour turning to grey with age and has a firm texture (2). Small greenish white flowers measure around 4 to 5 mm in diameter with five broadly rounded petals and are held on individual flower stalks up to 12 mm in length (3). The fruit (a capsule) is ovoid in shape and up to 7 mm in length, turning orange in colour when ripe (fruit shown is still immature). The remaining flower calyx at the base and the persistent style at the top of the fruit make good identification characteristics (4). Simple leaves with an alternate arrangement are; up to 8 cm in length, narrow at less than 15 mm in width, mostly lanceolate in shape, showing entire margins towards the base but often with a few spines towards the apex, dark green on top, hairless, rather thick and stiff in texture. Leaf apex shape is acute, base shape is cuneate. Venation is fine but visible and the short petiole measures only 2-3 mm in length. Distribution: NSW south coast to QLD.
See Flower Characteristics Page and Leaf Characteristics Page for information on terms used.

Narrow-leaved Orangebark Bark Maytenus silvestris

Maytenus silvestris Flower Narrow-leaved Orangebark

Narrow-leaved Orangebark

Maytenus silvestris Flower

Narrow-leaved Orangebark Fruit

Narrow-leaved Orangebark
Leaves

Native Frangipani Hymenosporum flavum
The Native Frangipani Hymenosporum flavum is medium sized tree species reaching a height of up to 20m within subtropical and warm temperate rainforests and adjacent sclerophyll forests (Picture 1). Bark on mature specimens is brown in colour with the weathered top layer turning grey; texture is hard and furrowed (2). Superb flowers are white in colour when opening changing to a bright yellow with maturity and are arranged in small panicles. Flowers which are nicely scented measure up to 5 cm in diameter and bloom over spring (3). The fruit is a flattened capsule; brown in colour, hairy on the outside, up to 4 cm in length and contains numerous winged seeds (4). Simple leaves appear in a whorl of up to 4 leaves below the growing bud turning alternate when maturing and are; up to 15 cm in length, obovate to oblanceolate in shape with entire margins, dark green and glossy on top, paler green below, soft, thin, smooth and hairless. Leaves (especially on their underside) on juvenile and new growth on mature specimens are hairy. Apex is short acuminate, base shape is attenuate. Mid vein and laterals are slightly impressed on upper leaf surface and raised below. Distribution: NSW south coast to QLD. The species is often planted as an ornamental tree for its attractive flowers. See Flower Characteristics Page and Leaf Characteristics Page for information on terms used.

Native Frangipani Bark Hymenosporum flavum

Native Frangipani Flower Hymenosporum flavum

Native Frangipani

Native Frangipani Bark

Hymenosporum flavum Flower

Native Frangipani Fruit

Native Frangipani Leaves

Native Gardenia Atractocarpus benthamianus
As the botanical name implies this small tree species is very attractive, attaining a height of up to 12 m on fertile soils within subtropical rain forests (Picture 1). Bark is a reddish, light brown in colour with a firm but flaky texture (2). White scented flowers appear in late winter to early spring within the glossy foliage (3). Up to 6 flower buds and 4 to 5 emerging leaves are enclosed in a stipule, being two jointed sheaves covered in very fine hair (4). Simple leaves are arranged either in a whorl beneath the growing bud or alternate. They are; oblanceolate to elliptic in shape with entire margins, up to 18 cm long with a short acuminate apex, thin and soft to touch. Lower leaf surface features a prominent center vein covered in fine hair and domatia as small cavities with hairy bristles are visible along it (5). Distribution: NSW mid-north coast to southern QLD. See Leaf Characteristics Page for explanations of terms used.

Atractocarpus benthamianus Bark Native Gardenia

Native Gardenia

Atractocarpus benthamianus

Native Gardenia Foliage

Native Gardenia Flower Buds

Native Gardenia Leaves

Native Guava Rhodomyrtus psidioides
Small to medium sized tree species with a dense canopy attaining 20 m or more in height (Picture 1). Here a multi stemmed trunk is featuring a scaly reddish brown bark. The growth habit of the Native Guava Rhodomyrtus psidioides within rainforests is more straight and erect (Pictures 1 & 2). Flowers measure up to 15 mm in diameter showing 5 white petals and numerous stamens topped by bright yellow anthers. They are held in small racemes and bloom over the summer months (3). The fleshy fruit resembles a small Guava in shape, is a yellowish green in colour and reaches 25 mm in length, it is a berry by classification and contains numerous small seeds (4). Growing buds and young branches are covered in fine hair. Leaf arrangement is opposite. Simple leaves are; lanceolate to elliptic in shape, up to 12 cm long with entire margins, dark green and glossy on top, paler and glossy beneath and emit a fruity smell when crushed. Leaf apex is acute base shape is rounded. Mid vein raised and yellowish on lower surface (5). Distribution: Mainly in subtropical rainforests from central coast of NSW to central QLD.

Native Guava Trunk Bark Rhodomyrtus psidioides

Rhodomyrtus psidioides Flower Native Guava

Native Guava

Native Guava Trunk

Native Guava Flower

Rhodomyrtus psidioides Fruit

Native Guava Leaves

Native Olive Olea paniculata
Small to medium sized rainforest tree species growing to a height of 25m (Image 1). Bark is grey brown in colour with small whitish blisters being a useful feature in identification (2). Fruit resembles the shape of an olive and is a green colour turning black with age, small at up to 10mm long. A thin layer of fruit flesh encloses a hard pale brown seed (Photos 3 & 4). Simple leaves with an opposite arrangement are; up to 8 cm long with entire margins, broad elliptic to ovate in shape, hairless, smooth and soft in texture. Leaf apex is acute or short acuminate with a fine point, base shape is rounded. Domatia as swellings along center vein are very conspicuous on both leaf surfaces and a good identification feature (5). Distribution: NSW central coast to central QLD.

Native Olive

Native Olive Bark

Olea paniculata Foliage

Native Olive Fruit

Native Olive Leaves

Native Rosella Hibiscus heterophyllus
The Native Rosella Hibiscus heterophyllus is a shrub or small tree less than 10m in height preferring a drier enviroment with good light conditions on margins of rainforests or within tall forests and regrowth (Picture 1). Bark on mature trees is a grey brown in colour, rough but missing the sharp and stout prickles found on trunks of young specimens where the bark colour is green (2). Striking flowers up to 8 cm in diameter bloom in early spring and feature five white and pink fringed petals with the center being a dark crimson red (3). Sharp prickles cover branches, young stems and petioles. Flower buds, stalks and young shoots are finely white hairy. Simple leaves with an alternate arrangement are; up to 15 cm in length with finely toothed margins, varied in shape from the deeply three lobed leaf shown in picture 5 to long elliptic or lanceolate with a fairly firm and rough texture. Leaf or lobe apex is acute, base shape is rounded. Venation is clearly visible on both surfaces with main veins being sometimes slightly hairy and showing a few small prickles (4&5). Distribution: NSW central coast to QLD. Identification: Similiar to Pink Hibiscus Hibiscus splendens listed on this page below.
See Flower Characteristics Page and Leaf Characteristics Page for information on terms used.

Native Rosella Bark Hibiscus heterophyllus

Hibiscus heterophyllus Flower Native Rosella

Native Rosella

Native Rosella Bark

Hibiscus heterophyllus Flower

Native Rosella Foliage

Native Rosella Leaf

Newry Golden Wattle Acacia chrysotricha
This elegant native tree species with a very small distribution range can reach a height of 15m and occurs most often in open tall forests (Picture 1). Bark is dark brown in colour, firm and rather smooth with shallow longitudinal fissures (2). New emerging foliage is a bright yellow green with a fern like appearance (3). Sprays of golden yellow flowers held on long raceme bloom for a short time in mid winter (4). Bipinnate compound leaves with an alternate arrangement feature up to 15 pinnae holding more than 20 leaflets each which are; very small up to 4 mm in length, oblong in shape, soft and finely hairy (5). Distribution: Kalang River Catchment NSW mid-north coast.

Newry Golden Wattle Bark Acacia chrysotricha

Acacia chrysotricha Foliage Newry Golden Wattle

Newry Golden Wattle

Golden Wattle Bark

Acacia chrysotricha Foliage

Newry Golden Wattle Flower

Newry Golden Wattle Leaves

Northern Acradenia Acradenia euodiiformis Other names: Bonewood
Under ideal conditions this species is a medium sized tree reaching a height of up to 25 m. The specimen shown is standing on rich volcanic soil within cool temperate rainforest beneath Black Booyong Argyrodendron actinophyllum. The trunk of older specimens shows some fluting and minor buttress roots (Picture 1 & 2). Bark is cream in colour, rather soft and spongy in texture with corky blisters and ridges on older specimens (2). Small white flowers are; borne on long panicles up to 25 cm in length, measure about 5 mm in length with 5 petals, bloom over spring and are nicely scented (3). Groups of up to 5 fruits yellowish green in colour and showing ribs on the outside are held on a single stalk. They are a capsule at up to 10 mm in length and 6-8 mm across containing a flattened light brown seed (4). Palmate compound leaves are made up of 3 leaflets (rarely 2 or 5) and are; up to 20 cm in length, mostly elliptic in shape with entire and wavy margins, dark green and glossy on top, light green and shiny beneath with a smooth and slightly leathery texture. Leaflet apex is acuminate ending in a rounded point and base shape is cuneate (5). Distribution: NSW mid-north coast to southern QLD. See Flower Identification and Leaf Identification Page for information on terms used.

Northern Acradenia Acradenia euodiiformis Bonewood

Northern Acradenia Bark Acradenia euodiiformis Bonewood

Northern Acradenia Flower Acradenia euodiiformis Bonewood

Northern Acradenia

Bonewood Bark

Northern Acradenia Flower

Acradenia euodiiformis Fruit

Northern Acradenia

Northern White Lilly Pilly Acronychia laevis Other names: Glossy Acronychia
Small native tree species attaining a height of up to 15 m found in different types of rainforests (Picture 1). Bark has got a fairly smooth texture with some fine fissuring and is a grey brown in colour (2). Attractive creamish yellow flowers up to 2cm across are followed by vivid coloured fruit, which changes from magenta to a blue mauve tone with ripening (Pictures 3 & 4). Simple (1-foliate) leaves are; obovate in shape, up to 8 cm long with a firm texture and glossy surfaces. Leaf apices are notched (emarginate see Leaf Charateristics) and arrangement is mainly opposite (5).

Acronychia laevis Glossy Acronychia Flower

Glossy Acronychia Acronychia laevis Leaves

Northern White Lilly Pilly

Acronychia laevis Bark

Acronychia laevis Flower

Glossy Acronychia Fruit

Acronychia laevis Leaves

Odour Bush Mallotus claoxyloides Other names: Green Kamala, Smell-Of-The-Bush
This large native shrub or small tree less than 10m in height originates in subtropical and drier forms of rainforests (Image 1). Bark is a green to grey in colour, hard with corky blisters and fine fissures (2).The Odour Bush Mallotus claoxyloides also called Green Kamala is strongly scented especially when flowering and can be smelled from a distance (3). Clusters of highly perfumed small yellow flowers bloom in late autumn on the NSW north coast (4). Simple leaves with an opposite arrangement are; up to 16 cm in length with irregularly toothed margins or sometimes nearly entire, mostly broad elliptic in shape, medium thick and soft to the touch. Upper leaf surface is mid green in colour with few hairs showing, lower surface is densely covered in whitish fine, short hair. Apex is acute with a blunt or rounded point. Venation is clearly visible and raised on lower surface (5). See Leaf Characteristics Page for explanations of terms used.

Odour Bush

Odour Bush Bark

Mallotus claoxyloides

Green Kamala Flower

Odour Bush Leaves

Paperbark Melaleuca quinquenervia Other names Broad-leaved Paperbark, Five-veined Paperbark
This native tree species is very common in wetter coastal areas and is also known under the name of Broad-leaved and Five-veined Paperbark. The Paperbark Malealuca quinquenervia can attain a height of 20m or more (Picture 1). Trunks often bend in the opposite way of the prevailing winds are covered in a thin papery bark which outer layers are pale grey whereby newly exposed bark is salmon coloured (2). Showy white flowers appear on top of the same spike holding last season's fruit which is a brown capsule up to 5 mm in diameter (3 & 4). Alternately arranged simple leaves are; up to 9 cm in length with entire margins, mostly elliptic in shape, firm and quite leathery in texture, hairless and emit a strong scent when crushed. Five longitudinal veins are clearly visible on the lower leaf surface (5). Distribution: NSW central coast to central QLD.

Broad-leaved Paperbark Flower Melaleuca quinquenervia

Paperbark

Paperbark Trunk

Paperbark Flower

Broad-leaved Paperbark Fruit

Five-veined Paperbark Leaves

Pine Mountain Corkwood Erythrina numerosa Other names: Pine Mountain Coral Tree
Medium sized and deciduous native tree species growing in drier types of forests up to a height of 25m (Picture 1). The trunks' diameter is large when compared to the height of the tree and features sharp and strong spines (2). Bark for the exceptions of scattered corky blisters is fairly smooth, rather firm and a light greenish grey in colour (3). Compound leaves are alternately arranged and mostly clustered towards the end of branches and consist of three leaflets (trifoliate) which are; up to 10 cm long and 12 cm wide, triangular in shape with entire or shallow lobed margins, mid green, semi glossy on top, paler beneath, hairless (except for new growth) fairly thin and soft in texture. Apex is acute and base shape is cordate. The strong petiole is up to 15 cm long, petiolules are up to 4 cm in length (4 & 5). Distribution NSW north coast to north QLD.

Erythrina numerosa Pine Mountain Corkwood

Pine Mtn Corkwood Bark Erythrina numerosa

Pine Mountain Corkwood

Erythrina numerosa

Pine Mtn Corkwood Bark

Pine Mountain Corkwood

Pine Mtn Corkwood Leaves

Pink Bloodwood Eucalyptus intermedia [Corymbia intermedia] see Eucalypts Page 4

Pink Cherry Austrobuxus swanii
The Pink Cherry is a subtropical rainforest tree species reaching a height of about 20m with a limited distribution range (Picture 1). Distinctive bark is a reddish brown colour with a scaly and flaky texture (2). Old leaves within the dark green and very glossy foliage turn red (3). Tiny but very interesting flowers are followed by inconspicuous small fruit, black in colour and about 6mm long (4). Simple leaves with an opposite arrangement are lanceolate to elliptic in shape and up to 10 cm long with finely toothed margins. The leaf apex can be emarginate (notched) or runs into a blunt point. Center vein on lower leaf surface is raised and often coloured a pale yellow, lateral veins are faint on both surfaces (Pic 5). See our Leaf Characteristic Page for explanations of terms. Distribution: Fairly uncommon from NSW mid-north coast to southern QLD.

Pink Cherry

Pink Cherry Bark

Austrobuxus swainii

Austrobuxus swainii Flower

Pink Cherry Leaves

Pink Euodia Melicope elleryana Other names: Pink Doughwood
Small to medium sized subtropical rainforest species growing to height of 20m (Picture 1). Free standing specimens are more compact and smaller with foliage reaching the ground (2). Bark is a light grey in colour; fairly spongy and soft with longitudinal ridges on older specimens (3). Fruit hanging in small bunches are capsules up to 8 mm across, a dark blue to black colour when ripe (4). Palmate compound leaves with an opposite arrangement are made up of three leaflets (trifoliolate) which are; elliptic to narrow ovate in shape, up to 16 cm long with entire margins, soft and hairless (5). Distribution: From NSW north coast to QLD.
See also White Euodia Melicope micrococca (Page 7).

Melicope elleryana Pink Euodia Pink Doughwood

Pink Euodia

Melicope elleryana

Melicope elleryana Bark

Pink Euodia Fruit

Pink Euodia Leaf

Pink Hibiscus Hibiscus splendens Other names: Pink Cottonwood
The Pink Hibiscus is a single stemmed and multi-branched native shrub growing to a height of 4m under good light conditions, in shady positions it will have a more straggly appearance (Picture 1). Bark on the trunk is firm and a reddish brown in colour, rough but missing the sharp and stout prickles of younger branches (2). Stunning flowers will last a week or more and close up overnight being white with pink fringes at first turning pink all over with maturity. They are up to 8 cm in diameter and bloom in spring with the center being a dark crimson red (3). Alternately arranged simple leaves are; up to 18 cm in length with finely toothed margins, varied in shape from deeply lobed to elliptic or lanceolate, whitish hairy on both surfaces with a rough texture. Leaf or lobe apex is acute, base shape is rounded. Petiole is up to 6 cm in length, hairy and can feature the odd prickle (4). Veins are raised on lower leaf surface with main veins being hairy and rarely showing small prickles(5). Distribution: NSW central coast to QLD. In identification this species differs from the Native Rosella Hibiscus heterophyllum (same page, above) by featuring less prickles on leaves and petiole, being softer in texture and flowers turning pink with maturity.

Pink Hibiscus

Pink Hibiscus Bark

Hibiscus splendens Flower

Pink Hibiscus Leaves

Pink Hibiscus Leaf

Pink Walnut Endiandra sieberi Other Names: Hard Corkwood
This small to medium sized native tree is found mainly as an under storey species in different types of rain and wet scleropyhll forests (Picture 1). The bark despite the corky look it is rather firm in texture, grey with a pink hue in colour and with maturity develops deep furrows (2). Flowers on long panicles are 5 to 7 mm in diameter featuring 6 white petals with a yellow and red center (3). Simple leaves with an alternate arrangement are; up to 10 cm in length with entire margins, elongated elliptic in shape, dark green and glossy on top, mid green and shiny beneath, hairless, smooth and rather leathery in texture. Leaf apex ends in a blunt point, base shape is cuneate. Mid vein is prominent white to pale yellow in colour, fine reticulate venation is visible on lower leaf surface. Distribution: NSW south coast to QLD.

Pink Walnut

Endiandra sieberi Bark

Endiandra sieberi Flower

Pink Walnut Foliage

Pink Walnut Leaves

Plum Myrtle Pilidiostigma glabrum
This attractive native shrub reaches a height of 4 to 5m and is found as an under-storey species within subtropical rainforests but also in open dryer forests and in proximity to the coast (Picture 1). The bark of the Plum Myrtle Pilidiostigma glabrum is distinctive with its scaly texture on older branches being a good identification feature. Bark on young stems is smooth in texture and a reddish (to purple) brown in colour (2). The purple/black fruit measures up to 18mm in length and is topped by the remaining sepals of the flower (3). Single gorgeous white flowers can reach 2.5 cm in diameter and are held on stalks up to 2 cm long (4). Simple leaves with an opposite arrangement are: up to 10 cm in length with entire margins, mostly elliptic in shape, rather glossy and smooth on both sides. Leaf apex is short acuminate, base shape is cuneate. The mid-vein is pronounced whereas lateral and net veins are faint but do not extend to the leaf edge (intramarginal venation) (5). Distribution: From the NSW mid-north coast to central QLD. Note: This native species is very suitable for suburban backyards. See Leaf Characteristics Page for explanations of terms used.

Plum Myrtle

Plum Myrtle Bark

Plum Myrtle Fruit

Pilidiostigma glabrum Flower

Plum Myrtle Leaves

Prickly Ash Orites excelsus Other names: Mountain Silky Oak
Found in mountain areas along the Great Dividing Range the Prickly Ash Orites excelsus can grow to a height of 40 m or more (Picture 1). Bark is green grey colour on younger specimens changing to a more light brown with cream coloured patches when maturing (2). The whitish grey colour of the lower leaf surface contrasts with the shiny, glossy upper leaf surface. Simple leaves are; up to 18 cm long on adult trees with prickly, irregular toothed margins, a stiff texture and mainly lanceolate in shape. Leaves on younger specimen are deeply lobed and up to 25 cm long (Pictures 3,4 & 5). Distribution: From the mid-north coast of NSW to south QLD.

Prickly Ash

Prickly Ash Bark

Orites excelsus Foliage

Prickly Ash Leaves

Lower Leaf Surface

Python Tree Gossia bidwillii Other names: Ironwood
The Python Tree or Ironwood is medium sized tree species reaching a height of up to 20m and occurs in a range of different forest types (Picture 1). The straight and often channeled trunk features a very ornamental bark which is a good initial identification characteristic of this species. Irregular patches of bark change from a light green to a dark green and then turn a coppery brown in colour before shedding (2). Myrtle-like inflorescence is held on small but numerous racemes with up to 6 individual flowers each appearing on young branchlets over spring and are pure white in colour Pictures 3 & 4). Simple leaves with an opposite arrangement are; up to 10 cm in length, ovate to broad elliptic in shape with entire and often undulating margins, hairless, dark green and rather glossy on their upper surface, only slightly paler and also shiny beneath with a soft and polished texture. Leaf apex is acute to short acuminate ending in a blunt or sometimes sharper point; base shape is mostly rounded. Petiole is strong and grooved on top ending in flattened nodes on young branches. Mid-vein is slightly raised on both surfaces, otherwise venation is faint (Pictures 4 & 5). Distribution: NSW central coast to QLD.

Python Tree

Python Tree Bark

Gossia bidwillii

Python Tree Flower

Python Tree 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. Other experience was gathered through a long time involvment with Landcare River Restoration Projects and Farm Foresters. 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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