Royal National Park: Uloola Walking Track & Karloo Walking Track 28/12/2023

A small shrub found on the side of the track. Many individuals of this specimen appear to be developing flower buds.

Looking at the flower spike, it appears to be Persoonia pinifolia when comparing it to the illustration in Les Robinson’s 2003 book “Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney”. However, the flowering time does not appear to match with that in the book as it states ‘March – May’, but other online sources state this species can flower during summer.

Colonies of these small sundews were spotted along a section of the firetrail that was very boggy but received bright, direct sunlight.

The plants were blooming and contained spatulate leaves that were around 1-2 cm long. By looking at the Drosera species listed in Les Robinson’s 2003 book “Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney”, I have identified it as Drosera sapthulata.

These small shrubs contained rough bark and hairy leaves. They were abundant around the fire trail and different plants were at different stages of flowering. The plant recorded here contained open flowers as well as developing fruit.

A few individuals of this species was found on the side of the fire trail near some Eucalyptus trees.

This Dipodium is D. variegatum due to the green peduncle and spots that extend down past the petals, onto the ovaries and pedicel.

These small shrubs contained rough bark and hairy leaves. They were abundant around the fire trail and different plants were at different stages of flowering. The plant recorded here was small and in full bloom.

A few individuals of this species was found on the side of the fire trail near some Eucalyptus trees.

This Dipodium is D. variegatum due to the green peduncle and spots that extend down past the petals, onto the ovaries and pedicel.

Colonies of these small trigger plants were found along the fire trail and in more shaded areas as well. They formed small clumps and most were either blooming or producing flower buds.

Due to its small size, I have IDed it to be Stylidium lineare according to Les Robinson’s 2003 book “Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney”.

A few individuals of this species was found on the side of the fire trail near some Eucalyptus trees. This small area contained around 3-5 (maybe more) individuals, which may be a bit hard to spot in the last photo. Some plants were blooming whilst some had already finished blooming.

These Dipodiums are D. variegatum due to the green peduncle and spots that extend down past the petals, and onto the ovaries and pedicel

This large tree contained reddish-orange bark, and a sprawling canopy. It stood out amongst the other trees in the area, which was close to the campsite next to Uloola falls.

This distinctive smooth, reddish bark, makes me believe this is Angophora costata. In the last photo of the tree, the developing capsules can be seen.

This small clump of orchids was spotted next to a rock near the waterfall.

Only 2 flowering stems were spotted but there were many leaves on the floor, which may suggest that there are many individuals in this location.

When looking at Les Robinson’s 2003 book “Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney”, this species appears to be Cryptostylis subulate due to the shape of the labellum.

A small shrub found in an area around the waterfall.

Looking at the flower spike, it appears to be Persoonia pinifolia when comparing it to the illustration in Les Robinson’s 2003 book “Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney”. However, the flowering time does not appear to match with that in the book as it states ‘March – May’, but other online sources state this species can flower during summer.

This small prickly shrub was in full bloom along the Karloo Pools Walking track in a rather exposed area. Looking at the pointy follicles with a somewhat of a curved tip, this shrub should be Hakea teretifolia.

This orchid has finished blooming and is now fruiting. Judging from the spent flowers, it appears to be in the genus Cryptostylis. It is most likely Cryptostylis subulata as several individuals of that species were present nearby.

This Banksia was somewhat common along the sides of the track. It contains soft hairy looking new growth and the abaxial surface of mature leaves are white. There appears to be inflorescences starting to develop.

The shape of the leaves as well as the woolly nature of new young leaves appears to match with Banksia oblongifolia according to Les Robinson’s 2003 Book “Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney”.

Colonies of these small sundews were spotted along a sections of the track that was wet but received bright, direct sunlight.

The plants contained spatulate leaves that were around 1-2 cm long. By looking at the Drosera species listed in Les Robinson’s 2003 book “Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney”, I have identified it as Drosera saptulata.

These small shrubs contained rough bark and hairy leaves. They were abundant in certain parts of the track and different plants were at different stages of flowering. The plant recorded here was small and has already finished blooming.

This Banksia was somewhat common along the sides of the track. It contains soft hairy looking new growth. The older leaves appear to be damaged or diseased. A spent inflorescence from a previous season can be seen.

The shape of the leaves as well as the woolly nature of new young leaves appears to match with Banksia oblongifolia according to Les Robinson’s 2003 Book “Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney”.

Colonies of these small sundews were spotted along a sections of the track that was wet but received bright, direct sunlight. Some of the individuals in the photo were larger than the ones seen previously.

The plants contained spatulate leaves that were around 1-2 cm long. By looking at the Drosera species listed in Les Robinson’s 2003 book “Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney”, I have identified it as Drosera saptulata.

This Grevillea was found growing amongst some rocks. The flowers are whitish grey and are covered in fine hairs. This appears to be consistent with the description of Grevillea buxifolia in Les Robinson’s 2003 book “Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney”

A small group of these plants were found growing near the base of the rock that provided a good lookout point.

The spathe that remained on the individual on the front has led me to believe it is in the genus Patersonia.

Looking at the different species of Patersonia depicted in Les Robinson’s 2003 book “Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney”, these plants should be Patersonia glabrata as they have a sprawling aerial stem (especially noticeable in the individuals in the background), and a glabrous spathe.

This small shrub was found around a rocky area. It has interesting flowers where the long style protrudes out of the flower. The leaves are also thin and fine, resembling the needles of a conifer such as a spruce.

Looking at Les Robinson’s 2003 book “Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney”, it should be in the genus Darwinia. It resembles Darwinia fascicularis but the flowering time does not appear to be consistent with the description of this species.

This Allocasuarina was found around a rocky area. Looking at the fruit of the plant, each ‘cone’ has a distinctive point at the top. This matches with the description of Allocasurina distyla in Les Robinsons’ 2003 book “Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney”

This Banksia was found around a rocky area. With short, thin leaves in tight internodes, this species should be Banksia ericifolia.

Old inflorescences and developing follicles can be seen, as well as new inflorescences that are just emerging.

A small colony of this orchid was found along the side of the track. Several inflorescences could be seen, including an older one in which the fruit has appeared to be ripe. Looking at the shape of the flower, it should be Cryptostylis subulata.

This small shrub was somewhat common along the track. It has dissected leaves that are cylindrical and point upwards when young.

The shape of the flowers, the timing of the flowers, and the shape of the leaves matches with Petrophile pulchella according to Les Robinson’s 2003 book “Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney”.

A small shrub found in a somewhat shaded area.

Looking at the flower spike, it appears to be Persoonia pinifolia when comparing it to the illustration in Les Robinson’s 2003 book “Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney”. However, the flowering time does not appear to match with that in the book as it states ‘March – May’, but other online sources state this species can flower during summer.

This small shrub was somewhat common along the track. It has dissected leaves that are cylindrical and point upwards when young. The fruit resembles that of an egg shaped cone.

The shape of the flowers, the timing of the flowers, and the shape of the leaves matches with Petrophile pulchella according to Les Robinson’s 2003 book “Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney”.

This Drosera was found in sunny, yet damp areas along the track. This small clump contained many individuals, with several that was starting to bloom.

The plants contained spatulate leaves that were around 1-2 cm long. By looking at the Drosera species listed in Les Robinson’s 2003 book “Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney”, I have identified it as Drosera saptulata.