Native to central and northern Queensland, this elegant palm is at home in the high rainfall environment of the Daintree Rainforest
A familiar evergreen tree along the tropical coast of Queensland, usually developing a short broad trunk and wide spreading branches.
A fascinating and strange looking epiphytic plant of far north queensland with a symiotic relationship with ants, butterflies and mistletoebirds.
This species is essentially of the coastal swamplands and is distributed intermittently from the Johnstone River at Innisfail through eastern Cape York Peninsula and into New Guinea.
A tree of medium size with a spreading canopy, closely resembling a mango tree in appearance.
Easily recognised and common in the Daintree Rainforest, Licuala ramsayi's common name "Fan Palm" is apt.
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Monocots > Arecales > Arecaceae > Licuala > Licuala ramsayi
This species of she-oak is common along the coast between Cairns and Cape Tribulation, often supporting epiphytes.
These plants grow within the damp shaded conditions of the tropical rainforest. The pale-green leaves contrast beautifully with the dark shades of the surrounding vegetation.
One of the many outstanding native hibiscus of tropical Queensland.
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Eudicots > Malvales > Malvaceae > Hibiscus > Hibiscus meraukensis
BARRINGTONIA inhabits the coastal lowlands of north-east Queensland and attains a height of about 15 metres.
Large, epiphytic, ferns found in wet, tropical areas like the rainforests between Cairns and Cape Tribulation
The genus Barringtonia is confined to the tropic regions of the world.
Often mistaken for Asplenium australasicum, this fern is native to the tropical rainforests of north eastern Queensland
This majestic evergreen tree occurs in the rainforests from north-eastern New South Wales to tropical Queensland, and produces masses of brilliant blossoms during early summer.
Also known as Hickory wattle, this species is endemic to the North Eastern Queensland and New Guinea.
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Eudicots > Fabales > Fabaceae > Acacia > Acacia mangium
A very important pioneer species in the rainforest, quickly providing food, shade and leaf mulch for establishing new areas.
Usually found in the northern parts of Queensland and the Kimberleys
Often referred to as "Cotton tree", this has to be one of the most striking trees in the Daintree region.
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Eudicots > Malvales > Malvaceae > Bombax > Bombax ceiba
(Dendrobium smillieae)
The BOTTLE-BRUSH ORCHID is distributed from the Burdekin River, to the tip of Cape York Peninsula, and then on into New Guinea.
A magnificent shrub growing to a height of 3 metres, it grows in the harsh conditions of inland tropical Queensland.
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Eudicots > Proteales > Proteaceae > Grevillea > Grevillea decora
A magnificent tree from the rainforests of tropical Queensland, where it attains a height of about 30 metres, but grown in cultivation it is unlikely to grow so tall.
A tall woody climber common along the watercourses in lowland rainforests of tropical Queensland.
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Eudicots > Fabales > Fabaceae > Phaseoleae > Mucuna gigantea
These ancient, spore bearing, vascular plants are closely related to ferns.
The BUTTERCUP ORCHID extends from north-eastern New South Wales to the top of Cape York Penninsula.
This is not actually an orchid, but is actually in the Milkweed family.
Although it may look like a fern (hence its common name), this is in fact a cycad, of the same genus as the "Zamia Fern".
A species of green macroalgae common on the Great Barrier Reef.
A hemi-epiphyte of lowland rainforest, with an interesting adaptation for capturing light under the canopy
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Monocots > Alismatales > Araceae > Pothos > Pothos longipes
This is a fascinating mangrove with spectacular flowers, exploding fruit and a puzzled to intrigue.
It is also known as a "Puzzle nut" or "Cedar mangrove" due respectively to its fruit and relation to Red Cedar.
This is not actually a lily, but a ginger and is in the turmeric family (yes it is edible).
CAPE YORK WATTLE is a small shrub occurring in Cape York Peninsula and some adjacent off-shore islands.
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Eudicots > Fabales > Fabaceae > Acacia > Acacia humifusa
Producing the large blue, egg shaped fruit that is a favourite of Cassowaries, this tree is reliant on the Cassowary to spread the seed through the rainforest.
A beautiful bird and butterfly attracting plant found in far north Queensland.
One tends to overlook the native terrestrial orchids of tropical Queensland for they are somewhat overshadowed by the epiphytic species.
The CLUSTER FIG is a tree of medium height with a spreading canopy, and occurs along the coast of northern Australia.
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Eudicots > Rosales > Moraceae > Ficus > Ficus racemosa
A very attractive climbing fern with tough, wire like, stems, native to north east Queensland and Polynesia
As is often the case common names can be confusing for this is not the COCKY APPLE of the Planchaonia genus.
This iconic species can be found along almost all the beaches between Cairns and Cape Tribulation.
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Monocots > Arecales > Arecaceae > Cocoeae > Cocoeae Cocos
This is the most common tree fern of both the coastal and highland rainforests of tropical Queensland.
The uncommon white form of the COOKTOWN ORCHID has warm appeal in its apparent fragility.
Queensland's state floral emblem, the COOKTOWN ORCHID is a popular and attractive horticultural species and has been cultivated widely for many years.
Found in the coastal areas of far north-eastern Queensland where it trails over bushland, adjacent to the beaches and on rocky headlands.
This is a common understory plant in the rainforests throughout Queensland and may attain a height of about 6 metres.
The COTTON TREE is common along the seashore dunes and estuaries of tropical Queensland.
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Eudicots > Malvales > Malvaceae > Hibiscus > Hibiscus tiliaceus
COWLEY MYRTLE is a bushy little shrub which grows to about 1 metre and is distributed along the foreshores of tropical Queensland as an understory occupant of the open forests.
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Eudicots > Myrtales > Malvaceae > Myrtella > Myrtella obtusa
A common fern, seen growing on rocks or on other trees in the rainforest.
Common along waterways in the high rainfall coastal areas and adjacent tableland regions.
This is the giant of our terrestrial orchids, attaining a height of up to 210cm when in flower, however it is often much shorter.
A fascinating example of a prehistoric plant, commonly referred to as a "fern ally", or club moss.
Appearing like grass seeds at a distance, closer inspection of this delightful species reveals one of the most delicate of the tropical wildflowers.
The genus name Typhanium is derived from typho meaning, "to burn", referring to the acrid juice in the plant.
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Monocots > Alismatales > Araceae > Typhonium > Typhonium sp.
The range of this beautiful tree extends from Illawarra in northern New South Wales to the Bellenden Ker Range in north Queensland.
A common trailing plant of tropical Queensland, inhabiting the grassy undergrowth on the wet plains; near creeks, bogs and waterholes of the inland areas.
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Eudicots > Lamiales > Byblidaceae > Byblis > Byblis liniflora
Commonly seen in disturbed areas, like roadside embankments, this fern forms in masses as it spreads over a wide area.
An erect herb with tuberous roots, it is prolific in wet grassland of tropical Queensland.
Waterlilies bloom for most of the year in the lagoons and gently flowing waterways of tropical Queensland.
This sedge occurs in all eastern states. The long narrow leaves have very sharp saw-like margins, and the black inflorescence appears atop a stout stem up to 2 metres tall.
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Monocots > Poales > Cyperaceae > Gahnia > Gahnia sieberana
A tough vine of the coastal sand dunes and sea-shores.
Mention the GOLDEN ORCHID and one's thoughts automatically go to the eastern lowlands of tropical Queensland where it thrives in exposed situations on trees and rocks.
This dainty little orchid is found as far north as the Bloomfield River in Cape York Peninsula.
The genus is limited to Australia and these elegant plants are a familiar sight with their crown of long narrow leaves and tall, slender flower spikes.
The boggy, infertile soils of the coastal flats of tropical Queensland are often dominated by this small tree, which has thick layered bark.
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Eudicots > Myrtales > Moraceae > Melaleuca > Melaleuca viridflora
Found throughout coastal Queensland and on some off-shore islands.
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Monocots > Liliales > Smilacaceae > Smilax > Smilax australis
This species is named in honour of Sir Joseph Banks, the famed botanist of Captain Cook's voyage.
This small tree occurs in the rainforest understory and commences flowering when little more than a metre tall.
This tall climber favours the rainforests and sheltered gullies of coastal Queensland.
A small open tree, favouring the heathlands of the north-eastern coast of tropical north-eastern coast of tropical Queensland.
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Eudicots > Fabales > Fabaceae > Acacia > Acacia legnota
A medium tree making a magnificent display with masses of brilliant yellow flowers during winter.
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Eudicots > Fabales > Fabaceae > Acacia > Acacia crassicarpa
Common in most coastal swamps and littoral margins where it sometimes forms groves.
The largest species of cycad, growing to over 15 metres in height.
A small open, spreading tree from inland Cape York Peninsula favouring the higher stony ridges.
This giant fern can have fronds up to 9 metres long (the longest of any fern in the world) and has been at home in Australia for over 300 million years.
This is the KING ORCHID of tropical Queensland and the ROCK LILY of New South Wales.
A tall attractive shrub which occurs along the coastal lowlands and on the offshore islands of tropical Queensland.
Also known as the Sacred lotus, or Indian lotus, this water plant has spectacular flowers up to 20cm in diameter.
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Eudicots > Proteales > Nelumbonaceae > Nelumbo > Nelumbo nucifera
A vigorous inhabitant of the coastal dunes, with attractive trifoliate leaves.
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Eudicots > Fabales > Fabaceae > Vigna > Vigna marina
MARSHWORT is another fof the beautiful aquatic plants inhabiting the freshwater ponds, lakes and slow flowing streams of the tropics.
This rush-like perennial often occurs in similar habitat to the GRASSTREE (Xanthorrhoea).
An appealing prostrate shrub attaining a height of about 1 metre and is found over the inland areas of Cape York Peninsula.
An eye catching perennial growing to a height of approximately 1.5 metres.
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Eudicots > Fabales > Fabaceae > Indigofera > Indigofera pratensis
Prolific in disturbed areas of rainforest, especially along the edge of farmland and roadsides.
This summer flowering tree occurs in Cape York Peninsula on flat or gently undulating terrain where it attains a height of about 10 metres.
Closely resembling the cultivated banana plant in appearance the native species is common in the lowland tropical rainforest, especially along watercourses.
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Monocots > Zingiberales > Musaceae > Musa > Musa banksii
A herb, attaining a height of about 4 metres, this native ginger is found in the rainforests of lowland tropical Queensland.
An exciting shrub with smooth, light coloured bark, growing to about 5 metres.
An evergreen climber with an interesting flower, fairy basket style seed pod and a breeding ground for huge butterflies
NATIVE JASMINE is found on the coastal lowlands and some off shore islands of north-eastern Queensland and the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Eudicots > Lamiales > Oleaceae > Jasminum > Jasminum aemulum
Attaining a height of 5-6 metres, the NATIVE KAPOK is a slender deciduous shrub.
This native creeper grows along tropical mainland foreshores, and on some offshore islands.
This remarkable little perennial flourishes in the moss and humus upon rocks which are kept damp by the tropical "wet".
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Eudicots > Lamiales > Gesneriaceae > Boea > Boea hygroscopica
A common root climber in the tropical rainforests of North Queensland, where it often attains a considerable height.
A course climber forming tangled thickets, occurring in both coastal and inland areas.
An epiphyte common around the Daintree Rainforest with a white flower and "pencil like" leaf.
A beautiful robust orchid, it occurs on the ranges and highlands of tropical Queensland and occasionally in the lowland gorges.
This tree occurs mainly among the mangroves right along the Queensland coast and is particularly plentiful in tropical areas.
It climbs over trees along water courses and along the verge of the rainforest in tropical Queensland.
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Eudicots > Lamiales > Lamiaceae > Faradaya > Faradaya splendida
An attractive twiner from the dense rainforests of the tropical tablelands.
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Eudicots > Lamiales > Bignoniaceae > Pandorea > Pandorea nervosa
A truly beautiful, bushy shrub, found in the swamplands of north-eastern Queensland.
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Eudicots > Myrtales > Myrtaceae > Melaleuca > Melaleuca polandii
This species must surely be one of the prettiest shrubs of the rainforests of tropical Queensland.
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Eudicots > Myrtales > Myrtaceae > Syzygium > Syzygium wilsonii
The young shoots of the POWDER-PUFF WATTLE with a fleecy coating of pale yellow and brown are almost as attractive as the inflorescence.
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Eudicots > Fabales > Fabaceae > Acacia > Acacia flavescens
A small tree found in Cape York Peninsula and the Torres Strait Islands.
Dilenia is a tropical genus, the only Australian species, alata is endemic.
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Eudicots > Dilleniales > Dilleniaceae > Dillenia > Dillenia alata
Found in many localities within tropical Queensland this species presents a particularly beautiful display on the flats of Sheppard Creek at Jowalbinna, west of Laura.
A small parasitic shrub which bears cascades of brilliant flowers. Host trees are predominantly wattle (Acacia sp.).
An undescribed species of the genus Tecomanthe, similar to "Fraser Island Creeper" (Tecomanthe hillii).
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Eudicots > Lamiales > Bignoniaceae > Tecomanthe > sp. Roaring Meg
Scarcely attaining a height of 4 metres this shrub is an understory inhabitant of the lowland rainforests of North Queensland.
Found in the open forest of Cape York Peninsula this spectacular mistletoe makes a magnificent display.
This is a slender twiner on light sandy soil in central Cape York Peninsula.
The stems of this plant may attain a height of 4 metres with leaves up to 40cm in length.
A vigorous, fleshy herb, the SPIDER LILY carries a multitude of buds upon a tall stately stem.
The fine spidery flowers, broad, glossy leaves and sweet fragrance are qualities enough to make this orchid a favourite.
Another superb native orchid from the tropical north.
Known as GIMPI-GIMPI in southern Queensland and STINGER in north Queensland this would surely be, literally, the most abused plant in the tropics.
Also known as the Small leaved fig, Ficus obliqua has a unique method of getting to the light in the rainforest
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Eudicots > Rosales > Moraceae > Ficus > Ficus obliqua
This is one of the smaller Crinum to be found in tropical Queensland.
An aquatic plant found in shallow freshwater ponds in all mainland states.
Ranging from the Fitzroy River north to the Endeavour River, this fragrant orchid flourishes from sea-level to about 1000 metres.
Sir Joseph Banks and Solander collected five Australian species of TRIGGER PLANTS during their enforced stay at the Endeavour River in 1770.
This fern has more slender leaves than the more well known Birds nest ferns, and is restricted to north eastern Queensland
An occupant of some of the harshest country in Cape York Peninsula this sparse, twiggy shrub enhances the area with a distinctive but pleasantly sweet perfume.
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Eudicots > Myrtales > Myrtaceae > Homoranthus > Homoranthus sp.
This is the largest Australian carnivorous plant.
Probably the best known species of the genus, the TWINING GUINEA FLOWER is a vigorous trailing plant.
The genus is limited to this one species, which is endemic to Australia.
This delightful shrub deserves wider recognition. It favours fesh-water swaps, lagoons, water courses and low lying open woodlands.
A species of the eastern tropics distributed from the Burdekin River to the Endavour River.
A vigorous, woody creeper which extends along the coastline of the eastern states and is common in north-eastern Queensland.
The WOODY CAPER has dull green leaves and carries numerous pale cream flowers.
A stately perennial, which grows to a height of about 1 metre.
Considered an endangered species in Australia, necklacepod is a legume with distinctive yellow flowers and seed pods.
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Eudicots > Fabales > Fabaceae > Sophora > Sophora tomentosa
Also known as the "Cananga Tree" or "Ilang-Ilang", the perfume from this tree is often used in aromatherapy and perfume.
Eukaryota >Plantae > Angiosperms > Magnoliids > Magnoliales > Annonaceae > Cananga > Cananga odorata
This is not actually a fern, but a cycad in the Stangeriaceae family
In ages past, cycads and associated plants were widespread and formed a substantial percentage of the world's vegetation.
Eukaryota >Plantae > Cycadophyta > Cycadopsida > Cycadales > Cycadaceae > Cycas > Cycas media
