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Rainforest Plants

There is an increased awareness of the beauty of many of our Australian rainforest plants.
Many produce-

attractive flowers and fruits, some of which are edible

bursts of colourful new leaves several times a year

beautiful markings on tree trunks and attractive bark.

Rainforest trees in cultivation are proving not to grow into forest giants, growing about a third the size that they would in their natural habitat.
Rainforest plants can be grown in most Central Coast gardens provided they are given protection from the extremes of heat, cold and the drying winds.
Some plants are referred to as pioneer plants. They can produce rapid growth rates of 2-3 meters per year.
Pioneer plants can be used to protect slower growing species if established large plants are not present.
New garden plantings should be limited to sun hardy species and pioneer plants.

Watering
Although watering is necessary initially, once established, rainforest plants require no more water than other garden plants.

Mulch Mulch and more Mulch
Heavy mulching is very important in establishing rainforest plants. Mulching will keep the root system cool, moist and help eliminate weed competition. Mulches can be applied to a depth of 20cm. Do not dig the mulch into the ground.

Fertiliser
Most require regular fertilizing. Use organic cow manure, fowl manure, blood & bone or a slow release fertilizer. All artificial fertilizers should be watered in.

Pruning
Most respond to pruning, developing into bushy plants, producing flushes of new growth.

Palms, Ferns, Orchids & Mosses
These plants form part of the rainforest flora and can add a lush look to your garden.

Climbing plants
Climbing plants and vines are a feature of the rainforest as they scramble across rocks or grow up tree trunks towards the light.

Container Plants
Some rainforest plants make excellent container plants that can be used for short periods indoors.

Palms

Plant Name	Common Name	Comments
Archontophoenix alexandrae	Alexander palm	Attractive palm to 10m.
Archontophoenix cunninghamiana	Bangalow palm	Local growing palm to 10m.
Linospadix monostachya	Walking stick palm	Needs shade. Slow growing to 3m.
Livistona australis	Cabbage tree palm	Local. Hardy in sun or shade to 15m.

Climbing Plants

Plant Name	Common Name	Comments
Hibbertia scandens	Guinea flower	Yellow flowers. Ground cover or climber
Hoya australis	Wax flower	Sweetly scented waxy white flower
Pandorea jasminoides	Bower of beauty	Climber with large pink or white flowers
Pandorea pandorana	Wonga vine	Hardy climber. Spring flowering
Tecomanthe hillii	Pink trumpet vine	Fast growing climber. Warm position

Scented leaves

Backhousia anisata	Aniseed tree	Leaves have a strong aniseed perfume
Backhousia citriodora	Lemon scented myrtle	Leaves strongly lemon scented

Pioneer Plants

Plant Name	Common Name	Comments
Alphitonia excelsa	Red Ash	Natural coloniser. Hardy in most soils
Alphitonia petriei	Pink Ash	Hardy in full sun with rapid growth rate
Callicoma serratifolia	Callicoma	Rapid growth in moist soils. Full sun or shade
Commersonia bartramia	Brown kurrajong	Extremely fast growing in suitable conditions
Glochidion ferdinandi	Cheese tree	Adapts to harsh conditions. Fast growing
Omalanthus nutans	Bleeding heart	Fast growing in full sun or shade

Fruits of the Rainforest

Plant Name	Common name	Comments
Acmena smithii	Narrow leaf Lilly Pilly	Pink or white fruit in late summer
Alpinia caerulea	Native ginger	Blue fruit. Excellent foliage plant
Austromyrtus dulcis	Midgen	Cinnamon flavoured fruit in autumn
Clerodendrum floribundum	Lolly bush	Blue/ black fruit surrounded by a red calyx
Davidsonia pruriens	Davidsons plum	Large edible fruit. Makes delicious jam
Dianella caerulea	Blue flax lily	Cobalt blue sweet fruit for birds
Diploglottis australis	Native tamarind	Orange fruit, sour but juicy. Pleasant taste.
Pittosporum rhombifolium	Hollywood	Attractive orange fruit in autumn
Sysygium paniculatum	Magenta Lilly Pilly	Sweet juicy fruit. Withstands salt spray
Syzygium oleosum	Blue Lilly Pilly	Large purple fruit with crisp juicy flesh

Decorative Flowers

Name	Common name	Comments
Backhousia citriodora	Lemon scented myrtle	Masses of cream flowers
Backhousia myrtifolia	Grey myrtle	Profusion of flowers
Brachychiton acerifolius	Illawarra Flame tree	Striking red flowers
Buckinghamia celsissima	Ivory curl	Masses of cream flowers
Cordyline stricta	Palm lily	Purple/ violet flowers..Purple or black fruit
Crinum pedunculatum	River lily	Fragrant white flowers
Cupaniopsis anacardioides	Tuckeroo	Masses of yellow fruit
Elaeocarpus reticulatus	Blueberry ash	Masses of pink or white dainty flowers
Graptophyllum ilicifolium	Native fuchsia	Holly leaves. Dark crimson flowers
Grevillea robusta	Silky oak	For large gardens and parks
Hymenosporum flavum	Native frangipani	Fragrant cream flowers ageing to yellow
Melicope elleryana	Pink Euodia	Butterfly attracting flowers
Melastoma affine	Native lasiandra	Appealing mauve flowers
Randia fitzalanii	Native gardenia	Fragrant flowers, good container plant
Rhododendron lochiae	Native rhododendron	Striking red flowers
Stenocarpus sinuatus	Firewheel tree	Tall deciduous tree, showy red flowers
Xanthostemon chrysanthus	Golden penda	Striking golden yellow flowers

Plants with colourful leaves

Name	Common name	Comments
Doodia aspera	Rasp fern	Attractive pink new fronds
Grevillea baileyana	White oak	Rich bronze colour under-side leaves
Pilidiostigma glabrum	Plum myrtle	Blue green new foliage
Syzygium ‘Cascade’		Colourful new growth. Pink flowers
Syzygium francisii	Francis water gum	New leaves bright red or pink
Syzygium luehmannii	Riberry	Young leaves red & bright pink
Syzygium wilsonii ssp wilsonii	Powder-puff Lilly-Pilly	New leaves pink. Crimson flowers
Uromyrtus australis	Peach Myrtle	Good for containers, weeping habit
Waterhousia floribunda	Weeping Lilly Pilly	Dark shiny green leaves
Waterhousia unipunctata	Roly poly satinash	Flushes of red & pink new growth

Produced by the Australian Plants Society, Central Coast Group in conjunction with
Gosford City Council and Wyong Shire Council.