Brisbane Native Plant Species List for Lota, Manly, Manly West, and Wynnum
This guide lists local to the area, native, ground covers, ferns, vines, small shrubs, medium shrubs, small trees, and tall trees to help you become a better Brisbane gardener.
Contents
Lota, Manly, Manly West, and Wynnum area
Soil
The Lota, Manly, Manly West, and Wynnum suburbs have red soils that are good for growing plants, even though they can be dry. These soils are deep and sit on top of clay that comes from basalt rock. Some areas have high water tables and clay. They are a little bit acidic.
Not the Only Plants!
This list is of plants that were naturally found in the area before we started introducing new plants. There are many other native and non native plants that love these suburbs. Some of these plants are also found in other parts of Australia.
Ground Covers 0m to 1m
Ground cover plants are low-growing plants that spread out to cover the soil. They act like a green blanket on the ground. These plants are great for filling empty spaces in gardens and stopping weeds from growing. Some ground covers have pretty flowers, while others have nice, green leaves. They also help keep the soil cool and hold moisture.
| Name | Form | Colour | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guinea Flower (Hibbertia stricta) | Upright shrub with fine leaves | Yellow flowers | Suitable for rockery |
| Rice Flower (Pimelea linifolia) | Fine-leaved dwarf shrub | White flowers | Clusters of small flowers intermittently throughout the year |
| Trachymene (Trachymene incisa) | Small shrub with erect stems from moist sandy areas | White flowers | Dainty flower heads in summer |
Grasses
Native grasses are types of grass that naturally grow in a certain area. They are great for gardens because they are used to the local climate and soil. Native grasses can grow tall and have thin, green leaves. They help stop soil erosion by holding the soil in place with their roots. These grasses also provide food and homes for local wildlife, like insects and birds.
| Name | Form | Colour | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foxtail Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides) | Tall, fine-leaved tufted grass of moist deep soils | Green foliage | Attractive furry seed heads |
| Matrush (Lomandra filiformis) | Hardy, grass-like understorey plant | Green foliage | Spikes of delicate flowers in spring; suitable for rockeries |
| Swamp Grass Tree (Xanthorrhoea fulva) | Low grass tree of damp low-lying areas | Green foliage | Flower spikes attract wildlife |
Vines
Vines are plants that have long, flexible stems that can climb or spread out. They use their stems to wrap around things like trees, fences, or trellises. Vines are great for covering walls or adding height to gardens. Some vines have beautiful flowers, while others have green leaves all year round. They can also provide shade and homes for animals.
| Name | Form | Colour | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fringed Lily (Thysanotus tuberosus) | Fine tufted plant | Mauve flowers | Found with kangaroo grass; delicate fringed petals |
| Guinea Flower (Hibbertia stricta) | Upright shrub with fine leaves | Yellow flowers | Suitable for rockery |
Ferns
Ferns are plants that have green, feathery leaves called fronds. They don't have flowers or seeds. Instead, they reproduce using tiny spores found on the underside of their fronds. Ferns love shady and damp places, making them perfect for gardens with lots of trees or shady spots. They can add a lush, green look to your garden.
| Name | Form | Colour | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coral Fern (Gleichenia dicarpa) | Hardy rambling fern for sheltered, moist areas | Green foliage | Forms lacy tangled clumps |
| Gristle Fern (Blechnum cartilagineum) | Upright, hardy fern with a creeping rhizome | Pink new growth | Moist, open sites |
| Lacy Wedge Fern (Lindsaea microphylla) | Beautiful, delicate fern with erect, lacy appearance from the understorey of open forests | Green foliage | Delicate |
Low Shrubs 1m to 2m
Low shrubs are small bushes that usually grow to a height of 1 to 2 meters. They have woody stems and can have leaves, flowers, or even berries. These plants are great for adding structure and color to your garden.
| Name | Form | Colour | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitter Pea (Daviesia villifera) | Heath shrub with small pointed leaflets | Golden flowers with tan centre | Golden pea flowers |
| Bushie's Bootlace (Wikstroemia indica) | Low compact shrub | Conspicuous in fruit; fine stems are wiry and resist snapping | |
| False Coffee Bush (Breynia oblongifolia) | Low compact shrub | Conspicuous in fruit; fine stems are wiry and resist snapping | |
| Hop Bush (Dodonaea triquetra) | Small shrub with arching branches | Red-black fruit | Open, well-drained, moist site; butterflies |
| Needle Bush (Hakea salicifolia) | Upright shrub with fine needle-like leaves | Green foliage | From wetland heath communities; woody seed capsules |
Medium Shrubs 2m to 5m
Medium shrubs are plants that grow to a height of 2 to 5 meters. They have woody stems and can produce leaves, flowers, or berries. Medium shrubs are perfect for adding height and structure to your garden.
| Name | Form | Colour | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acacia salicina | Localised wattle | Yellow flowers | Flowers October to January |
| Large Native Olive (Notelaea longifolia) | Dense, rounded shrub | Green foliage | Fruit attract birds |
| Muttonwood (Rapanea variabilis) | Dense shrub with glossy leaves | Green foliage | Flowers and berries attract wildlife; dwarf form available |
| Native Pomegranate (Capparis arborea) | Large shrub with compact shape if protected | White flowers | Sharp thorns; flower buds edible |
| Sweet Susie (Canthium odoratum) | Thick shrub with trailing branches | White flowers | Dense panicles of dainty flowers with intriguing scent |
Small Trees 5m to 10m
Small trees are trees that grow to a height of 5 to 10 meters. They have a single main trunk (there are exceptions) and can have branches, leaves, flowers, or fruit. Small trees are perfect for adding shade and beauty to your garden without taking up too much ground space.
| Name | Form | Colour | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coast She-Oak (Casuarina equisetifolia) | Beach tree with pendulous branch form | Grey-green foliage, spiked with yellow | Resembles a horse tail |
| Foambark Tree (Jagera pseudorhus) | Dense tree with clean trunk | Dark pinnate leaves, pink flowers, rusty coloured hairy fruit | Panicles of flowers |
| Hard Quandong (Elaeocarpus obovatus) | Tree of creeksides with dense, mid-green foliage | Small white flowers, small blue fruits | Clean grey trunk |
| Honey Suckle Oak (Banksia integrifolia) | Open shrub to small tree | Lime-yellow flowers | Honey-laden banksia brushes |
| Paper-Barked Tea Tree (Melaleuca quinquenervia) | Hardy tree for damp sites | Cream flowers, cream paper bark | Flowers attract insects and birds |
| Quinine Berry (Petalostigma pubescens) | Small tree with dense canopy | Small shiny leaves, bitter orange berries | Sunny, well-drained position |
| Red Ash (Alphitonia excelsa) | Tree with clean grey bark | Dark green leathery leaves, silver beneath | Attracts birds and butterflies |
| Snow In Summer (Melaleuca linariifolia) | Dense, fine-leaved tree | White flowers, paper bark | Hardy but prefers moist deep soils; flowers in summer |
| Tuckeroo (Cupaniopsis anacardioides) | Hardy coastal tree with dense rounded crown | Deep green foliage, masses of orange capsules | |
| White Bolly Gum (Neolitsea dealbata) | Understorey shrub with slender trunk | Silver-pink new growth | Arching branches; blue triangle butterfly |
| Wynnum, Pandanus (Pandanus tectorius var. pedunculatus) | Distinctive coastal tree | Strap-like leaves, prop roots | Adapts to rocky or sandy sites |
Tall Trees Over 10m
Tall trees are trees that grow to a height of over 10 meters. They have a single main trunk (with some exceptions) and can have large branches, leaves, flowers, or fruit. Tall trees are great for providing lots of shade and making your garden look like a forest.
| Name | Form | Colour | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celery Wood (Polyscias elegans) | Handsome shade tree with long pinnate leaves | Green foliage | Fast-growing pioneer in rich, moist soils; draws wildlife |
| Blunt-Leaved Tulip (Harpullia hillii) | Coastal scrub tree with shiny pinnate leaves | Bright yellow, red, and black fruit | Abundant fruit attracts wildlife |
| Cotton Tree (Hibiscus tiliaceus) | Useful shade tree of the coast | Butter yellow flowers | |
| Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus macrophylla) | Large specimen shade tree | Large leaves, rusty beneath | Attracts fruit bats and birds; invasive roots |
| Grey Ironbark (Eucalyptus siderophloia) | Large trees for steep sites and big areas | The original tree cover of the area. Their trunks are beautiful and they support many different kinds of animals. | |
| Forest Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis) | Large trees for steep sites and big areas | The original tree cover of the area. Their trunks are beautiful and they support many different kinds of animals. | |
| Scribbly Gum (Eucalyptus signata) | Large trees for steep sites and big areas | The original tree cover of the area. Their trunks are beautiful and they support many different kinds of animals. | |
| Moreton Bay Ash (Eucalyptus tessellaris) | Large trees for steep sites and big areas | The original tree cover of the area. Their trunks are beautiful and they support many different kinds of animals. |