Maroubra Beach and Malabar Headland National Park (Casual trip): 22/2/2024

A small-medium tree present on the side of the Boora Point Walking Track. I have identified this Banksia as B. integrifolia due to the white undersides of the leaves and the complete leaf margin on the adult foliage.

A small, sprawling shrub that was common around the sides of the Boora Point Walking Track. It contains leaves that are in whorls of 4, and white flowers that are zygomorphic. I have identified this plant as Westringia fruticosa using Les Robinson’s 2003 book “Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney”.

A medium sized shrub that was somewhat common along the sides of the Boora Point Walking Track. Capsules from presumably this season’s flowers are developing on some branches. When viewed from above, they contain 10 chambers. According to Les Robinson’s 2003 book “Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney”, this shrub should be Leptospermum laevigatum.

The B. ericifolia that I was able to spot around the track were either small, dense shrubs, or medium upright trees with a pronounced trunk. This plant is a small shrub and contains a developing inflorescence.

This Banksia ericifolia was growing amongst the sandstone at Magic Point. It was a large, dense shrub that covered a somewhat large area. Being very dense, I could not spot any old inflorescence, or any potential developing inflorescence.

A small plant that was growing amongst the Banksia ericifolia in the previous observation. Although from a distance, the foliage of this plant looked very similar to the Banksia ericifolia, the presence of white, zygomorphic flowers made it stand out.

This small plant was found alongside the Boora Point Walking Track. It is multi branched, and appears to be somewhat woody. It stood out from the surrounding plants in that its deeply dissected leaves are covered in a layer of soft hairs. I am not sure what plant this is. The leaves remind me of Actinotus helianthi, but I have yet to see an individual plant from that species that is this large.

This small plant was found alongside the Boora Point Walking Track. The photo could either be depicting an individual plant or a clump of plants, it is hard to tell. It stood out from the surrounding plants in that its deeply dissected leaves are covered in a layer of soft hairs. I am not sure what plant this is. The leaves remind me of Actinotus helianthi.

This Banksia integrifolia was found alongside the Boora Point Walking Track. Instead of growing in a tree-like habit, this individual is a small shrub. No inflorescences appeared to be present, but the plant had adult foliage.

The B. ericifolia that I was able to spot around the track were either small, dense shrubs, or medium upright trees with a pronounced trunk. This plant is an upright tree with a twisty trunk. In the third picture, you can see this season’s inflorescence developing amongst the branches.

This sprawling plant was found in the regeneration area at Maroubra Beach. Initially, I thought the leaves belonged to bitou bush, but upon closer inspection, there were purple, zygomorphic flowers growing from this plant. There were also purple fruit that the plant was developing. The distinctive flower shape and the fleshy leaves lead me to believe this is Scaevola calendulacea according to Les Robinson’s 2003 Book “Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney”.