During Covid lockdown many people have been walking in Oatley Park. They have probably appreciated the splashes of colour with winter blooms brightening the gloomy winter days. Oatley Park protects important examples of the natural environment which occurred throughout the area before the spread of suburbs. Within its boundaries are numerous micro-habitats giving protection to a variety of native plants and to animals which rely on those plants for food, shelter and nesting.
Black-eyed Susan – Tetratheca neglecta
A small shrub with whorled leaves; flowers pink with 4 petals and a dark centre. On the plateau near the lookout but uncommon.
Needle Bush – Hakea sericea
A medium shrub with needle-like leaves and abundant white flowers. Found chiefly on the plateau
Finger Orchid – Petalochilus pictus
Formerly called calandenia. Ground orchid to 30cm tall with white to pink flowers. Plateau and slopes.
Sunshine Wattle – Acacia terminalis
Shrub to 2 m tall with bipinnate leaves and yellow flower balls. One of the earliest wattles to flower. Common and often dominant along roadsides.
Red Five Corners – Styphelia tubiflora
Small shrub with pointed leaves and conspicuous red tubular flowers. Plateau and slopes.
Coast Banksia – Banksia integrifolia
Medium tree along shoreline
Sweet Scented Wattle – Acacia suaveolens
A Slender shrub, with narrow phyllodes and pale yellow flower balls
Queensland Silver Wattle – Acacia podalyriifolia
Although not a local native, a couple of trees make a brilliant show of yellow near the picnic ground
Green Five Corners – Styphelia laeta
Small shrubs covered with lime-green tubular flowers along Lime Kiln Service Track
Pink Spider Flower – Grevillea sericea
Small shrub with pink spider-like flowers. Widespread and common.
Green Spider Flower – Grevillea mucronulata
Small shrub. Flowers green with a pink style. Leaves roundish.
Pine Heath – Astroloma pinifolius
Low shrub with crowded needle-like leaves. Flowers tubular, red with a yellow-green tip.
For More information on the Flora of Oatley Park and Sydney Region check out the publications below:
- Native Plants of Oatley Park, A Photographic Guide Published by Oatley Flora and Fauna Conservation Society
- Native Plants of Oatley Park Compiled by Alan Fairley, copies available at Oatley Flora and Fauna monthly meetings.
- Native Plants of the Sydney District an identification guide, by Alan Fairley & Philip Moore, available in book shops.
- D’harawal Seasons and Climatic Cycles, Compiled by Frances Bodkin & Illustrated by Lorraine Robertson 2008