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Australia is home to a diverse range of native trees, from the iconic yellow wattle (Acacia) with almost 1000 Australian varieties, to the Eremophila or 'emu bush', with over 200 species, mainly found in Western Australia. Native trees in Australia provide food and shelter for a range of wildlife, and many are adapted to the local climate, with some requiring minimal watering due to their drought-tolerant nature. Some of the most popular native Australian trees include the Corymbia, known for its distinctive bark and flowers, and the Banksia, discovered by Sir Joseph Banks in 1770, with over 170 species in the country.
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What You'll Learn
- The Wollemi Pine, a critically endangered species, was discovered in 1994 in a remote rainforest area of the Wollemi National Park in New South Wales
- The Sunshiney Yellow Wattle, also known as Acacia, is one of the most iconic native trees in Australia
- Eremophila, commonly referred to as 'emu bushes', is a class of over 200 species endemic to Australia
- Melaleuca, known locally as paperbarks, tea trees, or honey myrtles, is a genus of around 170 species in the Myrtle family, the majority of which are found in Australia
- Bottlebrush, or Callistemon, is a fast-growing, hardy tree found along swamps or waterways in Australia
The Wollemi Pine, a critically endangered species, was discovered in 1994 in a remote rainforest area of the Wollemi National Park in New South Wales
The Wollemi Pine, classified as a critically endangered species, was discovered in 1994 in a remote rainforest canyon of the Greater Blue Mountains in the Wollemi National Park in New South Wales, Australia. It is considered a "living fossil" and a "dinosaur tree", with fossil evidence of the species dating back 91 million years. The tree was thought to have gone extinct around 2 million years ago, but a small grove of living trees was found by chance in a remote series of narrow, steep-sided, sandstone gorges 150 km (93 mi) northwest of Sydney.
The Wollemi Pine is an ancient conifer that can grow up to 40 meters tall, with mature trees often having multiple trunks. The bark is very distinctive, dark brown, and knobbly, resembling the breakfast cereal Coco Pops. The trees are extremely vulnerable to disease and wildfire due to their limited geographic distribution and small population size. The catastrophic Gospers Mountain megafire of 2020 burned more than 1.2 million acres and nearly destroyed the last remaining native populations of the tree.
To protect the last wild population, the sensitive site is not accessible to the public. The trees are also legally protected in Australia, and their exact location is kept secret to prevent damage and the introduction of diseases and invasive weeds. Despite being an endangered species, the Wollemi Pine is easy to grow and requires relatively low maintenance. It is adaptable to a diverse range of climatic zones and can be maintained in a pot almost indefinitely, making it suitable for patios, verandas, and courtyards.
A Recovery Plan has been developed, outlining strategies for the management of this fragile population, with the overall objective of ensuring the species' long-term viability. The Wollemi Pine has also gained international recognition, with Australian prime ministers and foreign affairs ministers presenting cuttings of the tree to various dignitaries worldwide.
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The Sunshiney Yellow Wattle, also known as Acacia, is one of the most iconic native trees in Australia
Acacia is a large genus of shrubs and trees, with approximately 1,300 species, of which about 960 are native to Australia. These species can be found in all Australian states and territories, as well as on nearby islands. The genus was first named in 1754 by Philip Miller in 'The Gardeners Dictionary' and was described by Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1773 based on the African species Acacia nilotica. The species name nilotica was given by Linnaeus due to its range along the Nile River.
Acacia trees have a long history of various uses. The sap and leaves, for example, have been utilised for their tannins, which have applications in pharmaceuticals and preservatives. The wood of the Acacia tree is also significant in Christian tradition, as it is believed that Christ's crown of thorns was woven from Acacia. Additionally, Zulu warriors used Acacia beads, which later influenced the Scout movement's Wood Badge training award.
The Acacia is an important food source for many creatures in Australia, including the native house gecko, which feeds on its sap, and the larvae of hepialid moths, which feed on the leaves. The beautiful, bright flowers of the Acacia tree are a delight to humans and nature alike, with wildflowers blooming across Western Australia and turning arid and savanna grassland areas into carpets of colour.
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Eremophila, commonly referred to as 'emu bushes', is a class of over 200 species endemic to Australia
Eremophila, commonly referred to as emu bushes, is a class of over 200 species endemic to Australia. They are known for their colourful, free-flowering shrubs and are closely related to Myoporum. Eremophila was first described in 1810 by the botanist Robert Brown, but it was the Victorian government botanist, Ferdinand von Mueller, who was the first naturalist to take a special interest in the genus, describing 47 species. Eremophila includes entomophilous species, with flowers adapted to attract insects, and ornithophilous species, with flowers that attract birds.
The flowers of most Eremophila species contain nectar and are excellent for attracting birds. The red, yellow, and orange flowers are adapted for pollination by honey-eating birds, whereas those with pink, white, or purple flowers are more usually adapted for pollination by insects. The fruits contain 2 to 12 seeds and may lie dormant in the ground for many years until disturbed by fire, heavy rainfall, or human activity. Eremophila is drought-tolerant and rarely requires artificial watering. They vary from low-growing prostrate ground covers to small shrubs and are found in semi-arid and arid regions of Australia.
Eremophila has received the greatest horticultural attention among the Australian members of the Myoporum group of plants. They have considerable potential for general cultivation, particularly in areas with relatively dry summers. As the climate changes, these areas will become more widespread across the country. Eremophila is a variable genus, and one of the wonders of Australian native plants. Foliage varies from green through to silver, and flower colours range from white to deep reds with many spotted varieties.
Some examples of Eremophila species include E. scoparia (silver emu bush, broom bush), E. abietina (spotted poverty bush), and E. nivea (a collector's favourite with purple tubular flowers and good silvery foliage). Eremophila is also used for breeding new cultivars and propagating rare species.
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Melaleuca, known locally as paperbarks, tea trees, or honey myrtles, is a genus of around 170 species in the Myrtle family, the majority of which are found in Australia
Melaleuca, also known as paperbarks, tea trees, or honey myrtles, is a genus of around 170 species in the Myrtle family, most of which are native to Australia. The name "Melaleuca" comes from the Ancient Greek "mélas", meaning "dark" or "black", and "leukós", meaning "white". This name was likely given to the plant because one of the first specimens described had fire-blackened white bark.
Melaleucas are found in a wide variety of habitats and soil types, from swamps and bogs to sandy soils and the edges of saltpans. They are usually found along watercourses or the edges of swamps and are fire-tolerant, with many being able to tolerate permanent waterlogging. Some species, like the South Australian swamp paperbark, thrive in saline soils where few other species can survive. They range in size from small shrubs to medium-sized trees, with some growing to impressive heights of over 35 metres (115 feet).
The common name "tea tree" was given by sailors on the Endeavour, who used the leaves of a shrub from this group as a replacement for tea during Captain James Cook's 1770 voyage to Australia. The leaves of Melaleuca species are also where tea tree oil comes from, which is known for its medicinal properties and is used in a variety of products like shampoos, antiseptic creams, and soaps.
Aboriginal Australians have also traditionally used several species of Melaleuca for a variety of purposes, including making rafts, roofing for shelter, bandages, and food preparation. Additionally, "bee bread" and honey were collected from the hives of native stingless bees in Melaleuca forests in the Northern Territory.
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Bottlebrush, or Callistemon, is a fast-growing, hardy tree found along swamps or waterways in Australia
Callistemon is a very hardy and attractive tree that can grow to between 4 and 5 metres tall and 3 to 4 metres wide. It is often described as a shrub, and its dense growth and evergreen foliage make it ideal for privacy hedges or screening plants. It is also a popular choice for gardens and landscaping projects due to its ability to survive harsh conditions and neglect.
The Bottlebrush tree is characterised by its distinctive and magnificent flower head, which resembles a traditional bottle brush. The flowers are usually red, but they can also be yellow, green, orange, pink, or white. These flowers are a rich source of nectar, attracting many birds and insects. The trees thrive in damp conditions and are commonly found in high-rainfall regions.
Bottlebrush trees can be successfully cultivated and grown in gardens with regular watering. They grow best in moist, well-drained soils and full sun, making them excellent plants for hot, dry areas. They are also suitable for pots and can be pruned to shape them, although this should be done early in the season before the new flower buds form.
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Frequently asked questions
The Wollemi Pine (Wollemia nobilis) is often described as a "living fossil". It was discovered in 1994 in a remote area of the Wollemi National Park in New South Wales, Australia.
Some common native trees in Australia include the Eucalyptus tree, the Wattle (Acacia), the Eremophila or "emu bush", and the Bottlebrush (Callistemon).
The Golden Wattle is the national floral emblem of Australia. With almost 1000 varieties, Wattles can be found everywhere from city sidewalks to national parks.
The Melaleuca tree, also known as the tea tree, is notable for its essential oils which are marketed as tea tree oil.
