PRIMARY SPECIES, Rainforest

Acmena smithii - Creek Lilly Pilly

Attractive small tree has the ability to survive in a wide range of habitats. The small white fluffy blossum are born in early summer with mass fruitings occurring in autumn every few years. Most hardy frost tolerant lilly pilly

Hymnosporum flavum - Native frangipani

A fast growing, Australian native rainforest tree bearing terminal clusters of very fragrant, cream flowers that age to a golden yellow. Highly recommended hardy specimen tree.

Ficus coronata - Sandpaper fig

This small fig occurs along watercourses along the east coast of Australia. An attractive small tree with sandpapery leaves and edible fruit. Grows densely in full sun, less so in shade. Very good for stream bank stablilisation.

Cupaniopsis anacardioides - Tuckeroo

An attractive, fast growing and hardy small to medium tree well suited to coastal areas. Good wildlife food source. Makes a excellent street tree or pioneer in reforestation.

Ficus superba - Deciduous fig

Deciduous strangling fig. Food source for the rare and endangered Coxens Fig-parrot and Wompoo fruit dove.  

Stenocarpus sinuatus - Firewheel Tree

This beautiful tree is planted all around the world but is naturally endemic to the rainforests of Qld and NSW. The name Wheel of Fire comes from the red flowers that resemble a flattened wheel. The timber is used for cabinetwork. To 30m

Litsea australis - Brown Bolly gum

A fairly tough, easy to establish tree worthy of inclusion in tree planting’s to attract birds and other native wildlife. The green, red, purple or black fleshy fruits are a favourite of cassowaries and fruit pigeons. Not suitable for human consumption.

Buckinghamia celcissima - Ivory Curl Tree

This tall shrub or small tree flowers in its third year. It is often grown as a street tree or specimen where its sweetly scented cream flower spikes can be appreciated. Retains its compact shape when grown in full sun. Frost tender when young.

Ficus macrophylla - Morton Bay Fig

This Fig can take two forms, as a magnificent tall spreading tree or as a strangling vine depending on where the seed lands. The orange coloured fig turns a dark purple when ripe. The edible figs appear around February until May. 40m

Eugenia zeyheri

Excellent dwarf hedging plant, with small glossy leaves and dark red new growth. It has small white flowers, followed by black edible berries.

Castanospermum australe - Black bean

An attractive tree with glossy dark green foliage and profuse flushes of yellow and red pea-like flowers during summer. The green seeds of the black bean pod are poisonous. The timber is highly prized. Bird attracting. 40m

Ehretia acuminata - Koda

Fast growing medium tree with scented flowers and golden-yellow bird-attractive berries. Briefly deciduous. Hardy.

Syzygium francisii - Giant water gum

The trunk is generally buttressed with a large diameter and the canopy can spread over almost the same distance as the height of the tree. Sometimes cultivated as an ornamental but too large for household plantings. 40m

Melicope elleryana - Pink Euodia

 A fast growing rainforest tree with masses of pink flowers along the branches in summer, attracting many species of birds and butterflies. The eudia is the host tree for the ulysses butterfly and may flower when only a year old.

Agathis robusta - South Queensland Kauri

A magnificent tree that is suitable for larger gardens, the kauri has a tall trunk and a large crown. Planted in an open position it will become a magnificent feature tree. Requires a moist soil for best results. Protect from frost when very young. Can also be used for an indoor plant, where its leathery leaves are very attractive

Rhodosphaera rhodanthema - Tulip Satinwood

Occurs naturally North N.S.W. to South Qld in dry rainforests. A tree with attractive foliage, red flowers and brown berries. Paly yellow timber valued for cabinet work. Excellent landscape tree.

Rapanea variabilis - Muttonwood

The muttonwood is a bird attracting shrub or small tree, it can grow to 15m in it natural state but is more commonly seen as a 2-3 m shrub in cultivation. It makes a fantastic screen with its bird attractind small blue fruits.

Pittosporum revolutum - Hairy Pittosporum

Also called the yellow pittosporum the shoots, leaves and flowers of this graceful shrub are all densely covered in rusty coloured hairs. The large clusters of yellow fruits are very rough or warty outside, and split into three. 3 to 8m

Acronychia oblongifolia - Common Acronychia

A small to medium rainforest tree with striking bright white fruit that is produced during autumn and winter. A good food source for birds and can be eaten by humans, although they are quite acid. The leaves emit a pleasant smell when crushed. 12m

Ficus microcarpa var.hillii - Hill's weeping fig

These large evergreen trees have short main trunks or several main trunks supporting a dense canopy of lustrous dark green leaves on slightly pendulous branches. They produce small green figs which ripen to salmon pink. 20m

Pittosporum rhombifolium - QLD Holly

An attractive shrub with flowers regularly in summer. The leaves are a dull dark green with a pale midrib and maroon stems. Droplet-shaped fleshy, black fruits appear during winter and early spring, each containing several rounded yellow-spotted seeds.

Pittosporum undulatum - Australian Daphne

Dense Evergreen small to medum tree with sweetly perfumed cream flowers september to november, followed by showy orange berries in winter. Shiny navy-margined leaves.

Alphitonia excelsa - Red Ash

This tree is a natural coloniser in a wide range of conditions. Fruits are round and black and the mealy flesh encloses two hard capsules. These usually fall, leaving red seeds attached to the twigs for months.

Arystera distylis - Twin-leaved Coogera

Small tree, with showy pink new leaf growth in winter, fruits are developed in summer and are bird attracting. Hardy once established.

Super Tube | $4.95 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Jagera pseudorphus - Foambark

The bark and leaves of this tree are shaken in water to produce foam that contains a chemical that stuns fish. An attractive tree with ferny foliage and a rounded crown. Irritating hairs surround the orange capsule that releases brown seed. 8m

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Tristania laurina - Water Gum

An attractive tree with dark glossy leaves and a dense crown. As a name suggests it prefers wet areas in rainforests such as creekbanks. Water Gum provides food for the blue triangle butterfly. Fruiting occurs in Autumn.

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | In Production |

Syncarpia glomulifera - Turpentine tree

Ideal windbreak tree or excellant specimen for parks. Provides insect and water resistant timber.

Forestry Tube | $1.95 AU | In Production |

Toona ciliata - Red Cedar

Fast growing decidous rainforest tree,  highly valued for its timber in earlier days. Has now become rare. With grow easily on moist soils of eastern Australia.

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | In Production |

Elaeocarpus grandis - Blue Quandong

A prominently buttressed based tree with an open layered crown. Birds and marsupials are attracted to the bright blue fruits that have a thin covering of flesh surrounding a seed that resembles a ‘brain’. Ripen August to January. 35m

Forestry Tube | $3.90 AU | In Production |

Orange Berry - Glycosmis trifoliata

Native to Nth Qld, this relative of the Citrus family produces a small musk flavoured fruit. Very juicy and sweet.

140mm | $9.70 AU | In Production |

Sandpaper fig

This small fig occurs along watercourses in Rainforest and open areas. An attractive tree with sandpapery leaves and edible fruit. Grows densely in full sun, less so in shade. Very good for stream bank stablilisation.

140mm | $7.90 AU | In Production |

Commersonia bartramia - Brown Kurrajong

Small, fast, pioneer species with an open spreading habit and horizontal branches layered with white flowers in December. Very hardy, withstands full sun. Provides a useful shelter for more tender rainforest trees.

Super Tube | $5.75 AU | In Production |

Melia azedarach - White Cedar

A fine tree with a smooth dark grey trunk and bright green foliage. The round yellow fruits ripen between March and June. It is poisonous to humans and dogs, but birds and possums are fond of the fruit. Semi-deciduous. 13m

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | In Production |

Pipturus argenteus - Native Mulberry

This is an excellent tree for rainforest restoration as it attracts many birds and insects.  It has small, white edible fruits that are sweet and hold their seeds on the outside like strawberries.

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | In Production |

Acmena ingens - Red Apple

The large prominent fruits of this tree will change as they age from a light pink to a dark red. The tree is large with a large spreading crown. Often the trunk in older specimens is buttressed. This tree is attractive to fruit eating birds and other wildlife.

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | In Production |

Native Mulberry - Pipturus argunteus

The native mulberry produces small, sweet, white fruits that hold their seeds on the outside like a strawberry. It naturally occurs in various types of rainforest north from Lismore to far north Queensland and west to Arnhem land. The tree is highly attractive to birds and insects making it an ideal tree for both bush food plots and rainforest regeneration plantings.

140mm | $9.90 AU | In Production |

Flindersia xanthoxyla - Yellow wood

Small to medium tree with very pretty weeping foliage, clusters of small yellow flowers and ornamental pods. Looks best in full sun. Good tub plant when young.

Super Tube | $4.90 AU | In Production |

Harpullia pendula - Tulipwood

An attractive spreading tree with glossy leaflets. Flowers are insignificant. Showy fruits occur during winer and are two-lobed, yellow or red with large black seeds.

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | In Production |

Cryptocarya glaucescens - Jackwood

Medium to large tree with dense crown of dark leaves, paler underneath. Black wrinkled fruits are attractive to birds. Hardy in most areas, including southern Australia. Moderately fast growing.

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | In Production |

Polyscias elegans - Celerywood

Elegant bird attracting tree. Fast growing and useful as a pioneer tree in regeneration

Super Tube | $4.90 AU | In Production |

Macaranga tanarius

Very fast growing,vigorous tree for exposed sites. The broad heart shaped leaves are distinctive and ornamental. Suitable for shelterbelts, initial rainforest regeneration and as a background foliage plant in the garden.

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | In Production |

Polyscias murrayi - Pencil Cedar

Mature pencil cedars are sparsely branched with an umbrella-type canopy of long leaves. Very fast growing with a year growth rate of up to 3 mts. A handsome foliage plant for subtropical gardens and useful indoor specimen when young

Super Tube | $4.90 AU | In Production |

Syzygium luehmanii - Riberry

The small leaved lilly pilly produces masses of red pear shaped fruit. Its handsome purple-red growth makes this lilly pilly one of the favourites. The fruit exhibits a juicy but slightly acidic clove-like finish reminiscent of cinnamon. It is a very popular ingredient in wildfood dishes.

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | In Production |

Flindersia australis - Teak or Crows Ash

A medium tree much sought after for its durable timber. The leaves are aromatic when crushed. The white flowers appear from Sept to Feb. The fruit is a woody, prickly capsule which opens into five segments releasing winged seed.

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | In Production |

Acronychia pubescens - Hairy acronychia

Fast growing and adaptable tree with broad, furry, trifoliate leaves, white flowers and clear yellow aromatic fruits with a sweet, refreshing and fragrent flavour. Prefers good soil and protection from frost.

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Alectryon coriaceus - Beach Alectryon

Shrub or small tree with bushy, light-green foliage, cream flowers and eye-catching, bird-attractive, red & black fruit. Hardy in coastal conditions and moderately fast growing.

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Alphitonia Petriei - Pink Ash

Very fast small to medium tree. Excellent pioneer species with open crown of rounded green leaves with silver backs. Bird attractive. Full sun.

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Callicoma seratifolia - Callicoma

Attractive bushy tree. Masses of pale yellow fluffy flower heads in spring. A fast growing plant from the rainforest margins. The leaves have serrated edges and a bronzy colour.

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Cassine australis - Red olive berry

This is a handsome fast growing small tree frequently seen in suburban gardens. Trees are annually festooned with large quantities of the small bright orange fruits, which are a spectacular sight on mature specimens.

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Cissus antarctica - Water Vine

Great ground cover or screening plant that is very hardy, however looks its best when watered and feed well.Common food source for rainforest pigeons in late summer.

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Clerodendrum tomentosum - Hairy Clerodendrum

A fantastic pioneer tree that attracts bird, insects and butterflies.  It does require a shady moist position to look its best.  New shoots are tinged with purple and both the flowers and fruits are highly attractive. 

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Erythrina vespertilio - Batswing coral

Scarlet pea-flowers in spring occur usually when the tree is leafless. Birds are attracted to the showy flowers. 6 to 10 metres

Forestry Tube | $1.95 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Euroschinus falcata - Ribbonwood

Medium to tall tree with handsome foliage similar in appearance to red cedar (Toona australis). Fast growing and hardy. A pioneer rainforest tree.

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Ficus rubiginosa - Rusty Fig

A small to medium tree with a bushy habit. The dark green leaves have rusty brown hairs on the underside producing a fascinating colour change on windy days. Makes a beautifull shade tree, very hardy.

Forestry Tube | $1.95 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Flindersia brayleyana - Qld Maple

Medium to large handsome tree with compact crown and dark leaves. Hardy and fast growing. The attractive, figured timber makes it a valuable species for agro-forestry. Excellent tree for reforestation.

Super Tube | $5.95 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Flindersia schottiana - Cudgerie

Fast growing tall tree with large leaves and up-turned branches. Hardy in most conditions but prefers plenty of moisture. One of the best pioneer trees. A butterfly attracting tree.

Super Tube | $5.90 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Glochidion ferdinandi - Cheese Tree

Fast growing bushy tree with spreading crown of smooth shining leaves. Pretty foliage and red fruits shaped like miniature round cheeses that are highly attractive to birds. A hardy pioneer tree which looks best in full sun. 6 to 8m

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Gmelina leichardtii - White Beech

Medium to large fast growing timber or specimen tree with purple and white flowers and bright blue-purple fruits which attract native pigeons. Excellent in tub when young. Partly deciduous. This superb rainforest tree is difficult to germinate, this year we have good stocks and are offering them on special while we have plenty. For more info go to http://www.forestfarmers.com.au/Species/G-leic.htm

Super Tube | $4.90 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Guioa semiglauca - Guioa

Common pioneer tree across the east coast. Makes a versatile fast growing, bird attracting tree for rainforest regeneration plots. Do not plant near dwellings as branches are brittle.

Super Tube | $4.90 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Hibiscus heterophyllus - Native Rosella

Hibiscus heterophyllus is a tall erect shrub. The flowers have a large crimson central blotch and are up to about 15 cm across. The leaves are either narrow, broader or deeply lobed, up to 15 cm long. 6m.

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Homalanthus nutans - Native Bleeding Heart

A shrub or small tree with soft green leaves above and grey/green underneath. The mature leaves often turn a dark red. The two-lobed bluish capsular fruits ripen from December through to March. 6m

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Mallotus discolour - Yellow Kamala

Native to regrowth and rainforest areas form the Clarence River NSW to Townsville. A compcat admirable garden tree to 15 m with bright yellow fruits, can be used as a yellow dye.

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Mallotus philippensis - Red Kamala

Common tree in regenerating rainforest areas, Very hardy tree to 10m. Suitable tree for reforestation purposes, expecially in difficult postions

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Nauclea orientalis - Leichhardt Tree

An distinctive tree with horizontal branching - around 10m. Can be used as a pioneer tree to establish a bare area. Attractive yellow golf-ball type flowers during summer months. Fast growing & hardy

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Parachidendron pruinosum - Snow wood

As a member of the Mimosaceae the similarity of this trees seeds are like the Acacia and are borne in pods and split when mature. The small greenish-white flowers are seen in summer and followed by flattened papery seed pods. Hardy pioneer rainforest tree.

Super Tube | $4.90 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Pleiogynium timorense - Burdekin Plum

A spreading rainforest tree with shiny pinnate grey green leaves. The fruits are plum-like, purple-black and edible. New growth has a pinkish tinge.

Forestry Tube | $4.90 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Polyscias australiana - Ivory Basswood

Small erect tree, 3-8m, flower profuse tiny in very open greenish sprays, foliage is pinnate appearing almost palm like, interesting contrast in form, fast growing in sun no doubt slow in moderate shade, well worth trying.

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Pouteria australis - Black Apple

A tall tree with a fluted trunk and bushfood potential. This tree produces a small apple-sized fruit that is eaten by rainforest mammals. The edible flesh is a rich red, however but not particularly tasty. 28m

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Rhodamnia maideniana - Smooth Scrub Turpentine

Native to Nth NSW and Sth Qld. It is rare both in the wild and in cultivation, this beautiful ornamental scrub prefers a semi shaded position in moist position. Striking bright red new growth and favourite to the birds.

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Rhodomyrtus psidioides - Native Guava

A small dense shrub, with white/pink flowers appearing in clusters in Spring or Summer. The leaves have a sweet, fruity smell when crushed and are unusally glossy below. Fast-growing and hardy in most conditions. Tolerate light frosts.

Super Tube | $5.75 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Sambucus australasica - Native Elderberry

The native elderberry is an attractive graceful understory shrub seldom seen as a 10m tree.  The small yellow fruits are edible with soft, juicy, sweet flesh although they are a little bland in flavour.  It requires moist soil and some protection, in its natural habitat it is found along watercourses in warm temperate, subtropical and dry rainforest.

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Streblus brunonianus - Whalebone Tree

This is a graceful tree with weeping foliage that is commonly seen in warmer sub tropical, dry and riverine rainforests of NSW and QLD

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Syzygium mooreii - Coolamon

The Coolamon reaches upto 25 - 30m. A rainforest tree it is also an endangered species. Plant in rich soil with adequate moisture. Attractive red-pink flowers with large edible fruit.

Super Tube | $5.75 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Syzygium tierneyana - River Cherry (Bushfood)

Medium tree with dense foliage and coppery new growth. Whitish flowers and edible fruit. Hardy and fast growing if plenty of water is provided. Prefers warm conditions.

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Syzygium wilsonii - Powderpuff lillypilly

Small to medium pendulous shrub to 3m high. New foliage is a very attractive bright pink. Flowers are large and crimson occuring in large fluffy heads.

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Waterhousea floribunda - Weeping lilly pilly

Medium to large tree, normally inhabiting creek banks. Drooping foliage, usually with some bright red leaves. White flowers. Very fast and hardy if ample water is available.

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Tips on Primary species ^BETA

We welcome your Tips on Primary species. Share Your Tip.

Waterhousea floribunda - Weeping lilly pilly

OR waterhousia unipunctata which IS BEST for Brisbane?? | Ian Frew - Wishart, QLD 26-Mar-2008

Flindersia xanthoxyla - Yellow wood

I need to find out where I am going wrong | Susan Young - Takura, QLD 24-Aug-2008

Flindersia xanthoxyla - Yellow wood

I need to find out where I am going wrong. I have planted three of them back in February 2004 and they have hardly grown, they are now looking their worst. Any advice would be very appreciated. | Susan Young - Takura, QLD 24-Aug-2008

Native plant seedbank for CQ - Seed germination and storage
http://www.cqu.edu.au/seedbank

http://www.treeflights.com/ - Planting native deciduous trees to absorb carbon.

Updated: 29th of June, 2007 at 12:18am © Disclaimer/Privacy/Copyright