How to use this guide

One way to find the right name for the plant that you are looking at is to compare it with the photographs on this REPS web site. Click here: … link to be inserted ….

Another way is to use a key which is based on the characteristics of the leaves (such as whether they are opposite or alternate, simple or compound). These keys are based on leaves, because leaves are more readily available in a rainforest than flowers or fruit.

The more technical botanical terms have generally been avoided on this web site.
The glossary in this website explains some terms that can be found to be confusing.

Where the size of a tree is referred to in this website as:
Small:4-10 meters
Medium:10-15 meters
Large:more than 15 meters
Fern Frond – The majority of species have a divided frond
Simple leaf – Leaf blade not divided into leaflets
Compound leaf – Leaf blade subdivided into two or more leaflets
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The species of ferns, orchids and herbs are easily distinguished from each other. The Brown Barrel Eucalyptus fastigata and the Cabbage Tree Palm Livistona australis, are easily distinguished from the other trees on this site, so although they are described and photographed, they are not included in a key to their identification.   This website includes a description of all of the commonly found plant species in the Robertson Rainforest. Less commonly found species are listed only.

HOW TO USE THE PLANT KEYS

If you have not used a key before, then try it out with a specimen of Blackwood Acacia melanoxylon leaves, shown below.

Look at the list of Groups A to D and see if your specimen fits Group A, then try Group B, and so on. You will find that your specimen is:

  • 1. not in Group A because the leaves are not divided into leaflets; that is, they are what are called simple leaves.
  • 2. not in Group B because the leaves do not come off the stem in whorls, nor close spirals.
  • 3. not in Group C because there are no spines.
  • 4. in Group D because the leaves come off the stem irregularly, i.e., not opposite but alternate.
Knowing that the specimen is in Group D, the next step is to find out which of the species listed for Group D fits your specimen. To do this, go to the notes and drawings for the Group D species and consider the Subgroups D1 to D6. Which category best fits your specimen? You will find that your leaf (actually a phyllode, an adapted stem in this example) fits best in Subgroup D1, because it has three strong veins reaching to the tip of the leaf, and you will see a drawing and description that matches your specimen, Blackwood Acacia melanoxylon. 

Once you have identified the plant in the keys, go to the descriptions and photographs of each species in the Guide to the Trees and Shrubs section where the tree species are listed in alphabetical order according to their botanical names, in this case, acacia.

Remember that leaves from the same tree are not always exactly the same, so it is best to make a point of looking at leaves from several parts of the plant when checking the characteristics.

KEY TO THE TREES AND SHRUBS
GROUP ALeaves made up of 2 or more leaflets (compound leaves)
GROUP BLeaves simple, coming off the stem in whorls or close spirals
GROUP CLeaves simple, plants with spines
GROUP DLeaves simple, alternate, plants without spines
GROUP ELeaves simple, opposite, plants without spines
GROUP A – LEAVES MADE UP OF 2 OR MORE LEAFLETS (COMPOUND LEAVES)
A1 – LEAVES ALTERNATE, NO TERMINAL LEAFLET
NATIVE QUINCE
Alectryon subcinereus

Leaflets 2‒6, up to 14 cm long, a few teeth on edge on upper half; a swelling where leaflet joins the leaf stalk and where leaf stalk joins the stem.
A2 – LEAVES ALTERNATE, TERMINAL LEAFLET PRESENT
SCENTLESS ROSEWOOD
Synoum glandulosum

Leaflets 5‒9, 5-8 cm long, edges smooth, underside with small hair tufts at some angles between mid and lateral veins. Whole leaf not longer than 40 cm.
PENCIL CEDAR
Polyscias murrayi

Leaflets 9-31 or more, up to 20 cm long, edges usually with fine teeth; small gland on stalk between each pair of leaflets. Whole leaf up to 1m long.
A3 – LEAVES OPPOSITE, TERMINAL LEAFLET PRESENT
PINKWOOD
Eucryphia moorei

Leaflets firm, 1-7 cm long, edges smooth, tip rounded, with a fine point; first pair of leaflets near stem.  
YELLOW ELDERBERRY
Sambucus australasica

Leaflets 5, soft, 5-15 cm long, edges toothed, tip pointed; first pair of leaflets distant from stem.  
GROUP B – LEAVES SIMPLE, COMING OFF STEM IN WHORLS OR CLOSE SPIRALS
SWEET PITTOSPORUM
Pittosporum undulatum

Leaf 7-15 cm long, base tapering to the leaf stalk; leaf stalk 1‒2 cm long; edge of leaf often clearly wavy.  
PEPPERBUSH
Tasmannia insipida

Leaf 20 cm by 5 cm, base broad and rounded at the leaf stalk; leaf stalk very short, less than 1 cm long; edge of leaf rarely wavy.
GROUP C – LEAVES SIMPLE, PLANTS WITH SPINES
C1 – LEAVES: ALTERNATE, EDGES TOOTHED
ORANGE THORN
Pittosporum multiflorum

Leaves small, less than 1.5 cm long, firm, broad, glossy, with 3‒6 sharp teeth in the upper half.
TREE VIOLET
Melicytus dentatus

Leaves 2-6 cm long; soft, narrow, not very glossy, edges with shallow teeth, tip rounded.
C2 – LEAVES OPPOSITE, EDGES SMOOTH
PRICKLY COPROSMA
Coprosma quadrifida

Leaves soft, small, less than 1 cm long; short side branches ending in spines.
GROUP D – LEAVES SIMPLE, ALTERNATE, PLANTS WITHOUT SPINES
D1 – LEAVES WITH 3 OR MORE VEINS REACHING THE TIP
BLACKWOOD
Acacia melanoxylon

Leaves 6-15 cm long with no mid-vein but 3 or 4 long parallel veins; same colour on both surfaces   Note: Two-veined Hickory – Acacia binervata, has 2, or rarely 3, long veins.
SCRUB BEEFWOOD
Stenocarpus salignus

Leaves 8-15 cm long with a distinct mid-vein and 2 other long veins; leaves paler underneath.
 
D2 – LEAVES WITH ONLY ONE MAIN VEIN REACHING THE TIP, LENGTH 10 TIMES WIDTH, OR STRONGLY LOBED
KANGAROO APPLE
Solanum aviculare

Leaves up to 35 cm long, very soft, stems and mid-vein often purple; mid-vein prominent underneath, lateral veins clearly visible.  
D3 – LEAVES WITH ONLY ONE MAIN VEIN REACHING THE TIP, UNDER SURFACE WITH HAIRS
MUSK DAISY-BUSH
Olearia argophylla

Leaves quite large, 7-14 cm long, silvery-white underneath, edges with very fine teeth.  
BLACK OLIVEBERRY
Elaeocarpus holopetalus

Leaves fairly small, 3-8 cm long, pale brown hairs underneath, edges strongly toothed
D4 – LEAVES WITH ONLY ONE MAIN VEIN REACHING THE TIP, UNDER SURFACE YELLOWISH OR BLUISH (NOT PALE GREEN)
BLACK PLUM
Diospyros australis

Leaves 4-10 cm long, yellowish underneath, thick, edges smooth, rounded tip, arranged in two rows on the stem; branchlets often zig-zag.

NATIVE LAUREL
Cryptocarya glaucescens

Leaves 6-13 cm long, with bluish-grey bloom underneath, prominent yellow mid-vein, blunt-pointed tip.

D5 – LEAVES WITH ONLY ONE MAIN VEIN REACHING THE TIP, UNDER SURFACE GREEN, MID-VEIN RAISED ON THE UPPER SURFACE
BRUSH MUTTONWOOD
Myrsine howittiana

Leaves 5-10 cm long, firm, glossy, mid-vein pale, tip rounded; small shoots rusty brown.  
D6 – LEAVES WITH ONLY ONE MAIN VEIN REACHING THE TIP, UNDER SURFACE GREEN, MID-VEIN SUNKEN ON THE UPPER SURFACE
BROWN BEECH
Pennantia cunninghamii

Leaves large, up to 15 cm by 10 cm, soft edges wavy, small bumps at the angles of lateral veins on upper surface; branchlets zig-zag.
SMOOTH HELICIA
Helicia glabriflora

Leaves leathery, up to 15 cm by 4 cm, leaf stalk short, swollen at the base, edges smooth or with a few irregular teeth, stems straight.
POSSUMWOOD
Quintinia sieberi

Leaves firm, 7-12 cm long; stems red-brown and straight; bark knobbly brown, tree often attached to a tree fern trunk.
MOUNTAIN WATER GUM
Tristaniopsis collina

Leaves firm, 5-8 cm long, aromatic smell when crushed; stems red-purple, straight; bark grey to white, flaky to fibrous.
GROUP E … Leaves simple, opposite, plants without spines
E1 – EACH LEAF EDGE WITH 20 – 40 FINE TEETH
COACHWOOD
Ceratopetalum apetalum

Leaves 6-14 cm long; leaf stalk swollen at the base of the stalk; scar across the stem between leaf pairs.
E2 – EACH LEAF EDGE WITH 20 OR FEWER TEETH, MID-VEIN RAISED ON THE UPPER SURFACE
NATIVE MULBERRY
Hedycarya angustifolia

Leaves 4-12 cm long, upper surface with distinct yellowish white mid and lateral veins.
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E3 – EACH LEAF EDGE WITH FEWER THAN 20 TEETH, MID-VEIN SUNKEN ON THE UPPER SURFACE
VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS BUSH
Prostanthera lasianthos

Leaves soft, thin, tip pointed, narrow, 3-12 cm long by 1-3 cm wide; teeth small or absent; “mint bush” aroma when crushed.  
 
FEATHERWOOD
Polyosma cunninghamii

Leaves firm, thin, tip pointed, moderately narrow, up to 10 cm long by 2-4 cm wide; teeth pronounced; no distinct smell.  
 
SASSAFRAS
Doryphora sassafras

Leaves firm, thick, tip blunt or shortly pointed, oval, 6-12 cm long by 4-10 cm wide; teeth pronounced; aromatic when crushed.  
 
E4 – LEAF EDGES SMOOTH, WITHOUT TEETH
LILLY PILLY
Syzygium smithii

Leaves glossy, 3.5-10 cm long, mid-vein sunken on upper surface, lateral veins just visible on upper surface.  
VEINED MOCK OLIVE
Notelaea venosa

Leaves dull, 6-16 cm long, mid-vein yellowish and raised on upper surface, lateral and small network veins clearly visible; leaf shape and size very variable.
PRICKLY COPROSMA
Coprosma quadrifida

Leaves soft, small, up to 1 cm long.
KEY TO THE VINES AND SCRAMBLERS
GROUP ALeaves made up of 2 or more leaflets (compound leaves)
GROUP BLeaves simple, with 3 or more veins reaching the tip of the leaf
GROUP CLeaves simple, alternate, only the mid-vein reaching the leaf tip
GROUP DLeaves simple, opposite, only the mid-vein reaching the leaf tip
GROUP A – LEAVES MADE UP OF 2 OR MORE LEAFLETS (compound leaves)
A1: PLANTS WITH PRICKLES
ROSE-LEAF BRAMBLE
Rubus rosifolius

Leaves made up of 2‒3 pairs and a larger terminal leaflet; edges of leaflets toothed.
GREEN-LEAF BRAMBLE
Rubus nebulosus

Leaves with 3‒5 leaflets arising from one point (like a hand); green underneath, edges of leaflet toothed. In contrast Blackberry leaflets are whitish-grey underneath.
A2: PLANTS WITHOUT PRICKLES, WITH OPPOSITE, COMPOUND LEAVES
FOREST CLEMATIS
Clematis glycinoides

Leaves with three thin leaflets, edges mostly smooth, often with 1‒3 teeth near the base; leaf stalk may act as a tendril.
TOOTHED CLEMATIS
Clematis aristata

Leaves with three thickish leaflets, edges irregularly toothed; leaf stalk may act as a tendril.
WONGA VINE
Pandorea pandorana

Leaves with 2‒4 pairs of leaflets and a terminal leaflet, edges smooth. Young plants have more and smaller leaflets
A3: PLANTS WITHOUT PRICKLES, WITH ALTERNATE, COMPOUND LEAVES
FIVE-LEAF WATER VINE
Cissus hypoglauca

Leaves with five leaflets arising from one point (like a hand), pale or ashy-grey underneath; a tendril on stem opposite a leaf. Young plants have three leaflets, which may be toothed.  
GROUP B – LEAVES SIMPLE WITH 3+ VEINS REACHING THE TIP OF THE LEAF
B1: LEAVES WITH 3‒5 PROMINENT PARALLEL VEINS
AUSTRAL SARSAPARILLA
Smilax australis

Leaves alternate, up to 15 cm long, veins conspicuous; prickles on most stems; a pair of tendrils on the leaf stalk (often small); older leaves hard and leathery.
WHITE SUPPLEJACK
Ripogonum album

Leaves nearly opposite, up to 12 cm long, often in threes; no tendrils; prickles only on larger stems.
B2: LEAVES WITH MANY FINE, CLOSELY-SPACED PARALLEL VEINS N.B. The following two species may, at first sight, appear to have compound leaves.
WOMBAT BERRY
Eustrephus latifolius

Leaves 5-10 cm long, usually 2 to 3 cm wide in this area, no distinct mid-vein on upper surface, almost the same bright green on both surfaces.
SCRAMBLING LILY
Geitonoplesium cymosum

Leaves 5-9 cm long, usually 0.5 to 1 cm wide in this area, dark green with a distinct mid-vein on upper surface, clearly paler underneath.
GROUP C – LEAVES SIMPLE, ALTERNATE, ONLY THE MID-VEIN REACHING THE TIP OF THE LEAF
C1: PLANTS WITH PRICKLES
BROAD-LEAF BRAMBLE
Rubus moluccanus var. triloba

Leaves up to 15 cm long, edges finely toothed, hairy underneath, with prickles on the mid-vein.
C2: PLANTS WITHOUT PRICKLES
NATIVE PASSIONFRUIT
Passiflora herbertiana subsp. herbertiana

Leaves 6 to 12 cm long by up to 8 cm wide, usually 3-lobed, slightly hairy underneath; leaf stalk up to 4 cm long with a pair of glands near the leaf base.
PEARL VINE
Sarcopetalum harveyanum

Leaves up to 12 cm long by 5 to 10 cm wide, without hairs, edges smooth; leaf stalk up to 8 cm long; leaf heart-shaped with a long tip.
STAFF VINE
Celastrus australis

Leaves 3 to 9 cm long by 1 to 4 cm wide, without hairs, edges with very small teeth; leaf stalk 1.5 cm long.
CLIMBING GUINEA FLOWER
Hibbertia scandens

Leaves 3 to 9 cm long, young leaves with fine hairs, edges smooth or with a few small teeth; leaf stalk indistinct, leaf base narrow and clasping the stem.
GROUP D – LEAVES SIMPLE, OPPOSITE, ONLY THE MID-VEIN REACHING THE TIP OF THE LEAF
D1: LEAVES WITH TOOTHED EDGES
FIELDIA
Fieldia australis

Leaves soft and hairy, leaf pairs unequal in size, larger leaf about 3 to 7 cm long, edges coarsely toothed.
GUM VINE
Aphanopetalum resinosum

Leaves firm and glossy, up to 10 cm long, without hairs, regularly toothed, leaf pairs equal in size; climber or straggly shrub.
D2: LEAVES WITH HAIRS, EDGES NOT TOOTHED
ANCHOR VINE
Palmeria scandens

Leaves 5 to 14 cm long, rough to touch, hairs underneath; woody climber with backwardly directed young shoots on new stems.
D3: LEAVES WITHOUT HAIRS, EDGES SMOOTH; SMALL CLIMBERS WITH SOFT LEAVES
BEARDED TYLOPHORA
Tylophora barbata

Leaves up to 6 cm long by 2.5 cm wide, dull green with a short-pointed tip, mid-vein sunken on upper surface; leaf stalk up to 2 cm long.  
SWEET MORINDA
Gynochthodes jasminoides

Leaves up to 7 cm long, glossy with a drawn-out point, mid-vein raised on upper surface; may have up to 4 raised bumps in angles between mid and side veins; leaf stalk up to 1 cm long.
D4: LEAVES WITHOUT HAIRS, EDGES SMOOTH; LARGE CLIMBERS WITH FIRM LEAVES
COMMON MILK VINE
Marsdenia rostrata

Leaves 4 to 13 cm long by 2 to 7 cm wide, glossy, a distinct yellowish mid-vein sunken on upper surface, narrow tip; milky sap when leaves are broken.
MOUNTAIN SILKPOD
Parsonsia brownii

Leaves 4 to 10 cm long, shiny, with pale green mid-vein sunken on upper surface, lateral veins closely spaced at a small angle to mid-vein; clear sap when leaves are broken.
COMMON SILKPOD
Parsonsia straminea

Leaves 7-12 cm long, with a prominent yellowish mid-vein level with, or raised above, upper surface, lateral veins well-spaced, at a medium angle to mid-vein; clear sap when leaves are broken. Young plants grow attached to tree trunks or rocks, leaves purple underneath.

These keys follow the example of the much more extensive leaf keys in Harden, McDonald and Williams (2018, 2014)