Daintree Rainforest flora
Daintree Rainforest flora contains the richest representation of primitive flowering plant families found anywhere in the world. Daintree Rainforest also occupies the centrepiece of one of the world’s three centres of endemism. Flora is represented across all the major stages of evolutionary development, from the most primitive species to primitive angiosperms.
The phylogeny (below) lists the representative species of Daintree Rainforest flora:
Liverworts (Marchantiomorpha)
Hornworts (Anthocerotophyta)
Mosses (Bryophyta)
Lycophytes (Lycopodiopsida)
Lycopodiales
Lycopodiaceae
Common Tassel Fern – Huperzia phlegmaria
Layered Tassel Fern – Huperzia phlegmaroides
Wolf’s Foot Clubmoss – Lycopodiella cernua
Selaginellales
Selaginellaceae
Electric Fern – Selaginella longipinna
Ferns (Polypodiopsida)
Leptosporangiate Ferns (Polypodiidae)
Polypods (Polypodiales)
Aspleniaceae
Crow’s Nest Fern – Asplenium australasicum
small fern – Asplenium laserpitifolium
Bird’s Nest Fern – Asplenium nidus
Narrow Leaf Bird’s Nest Fern – Asplenium simplicifrons
terrestrial fern – Tectaria muelleri
– Colysis ampla
Bird’s Nest Fern – Dynaria rigidula
Elkhorn Fern – Platycerium bifurcatum
Elkhorn Fern – Platycerium hilli
Dennstaedtiaceae
– Lindsaea brachypoda
– Lindsaea ensifolia subsp. ensifolia
– Lindsaea media
– Lindsaea obtusa
– Lindsaea walkerae
Dryopteridales
Lomariopsidaceae
– Lomariopsis kingsii
Nephrolepidaceae
– Arthropteris beckleri
– Arthropteris palisotii
Nephrolepsis obliterata
Pteridaceae (Pteridales)
Adiantaceae
Filmy Maidenhair Fern – Adiantum diaphanum
Maidenhair Fern – Adiantum hispidulum
(Vittariaceae)
fern – Antrophyum plantagineum
Ox-tongue Fern –Antrophyum reticulatum
fern – Vaginularia acrocarpa
Tape Fern – Vittaria elongata
Thelypteridaceae
Binung – Christella denata
Treeferns & allies (Cyatheales)
Cooper Tree Fern – Cyathea cooperi
Black Tree Fern – Cyathea rebeccae
Tree Fern – Cyathea woolsiana
Water Ferns (Salviniales)
Schizaeaoid Ferns (Schizaeales)
Schizaeacea
climbing fern – Lycopodium flexuosum
Gleichenoid Ferns (Gleicheniales)
Filmy Ferns (Hymenophyllales)
Filmy Fern – Cephalomanes atrovirens
Filmy Fern – Crepidomanes bipunctatum
Filmy Fern – Gonocormus prolifera
Filmy Fern – Gonocormus saxifragoides
Filmy Fern – Microgonium bimarginatum
Filmy Fern – Microgonium tahitense
Filmy Fern – Microgonium vitiens
Filmy Fern – Microsorum membranifolium
Filmy Fern – Selenodesmium elongatum
Filmy Fern – Selenodesmium obscurum
Osmundaceous Ferns (Osmundales)
Marattioid Ferns (Marattiidae)
Marattiaceae
Angiopteris
King Fern – Angiopteris evecta
Marattia
Potato Fern – Marattia oreades
Psilotidae
Ophioglossoid ferns (Ophioglossales)
Ribbon Fern – Ophioglossum pendulum
Whisk Ferns (Psilotales)
Flatfork Fern – Psilotum complanatum
Seed Plants (Spermatopsida)
Cycads (Cycadineae)
Zamiineae
Stangeriaceae
Bowenioideae
Cycad Fern – Bowenia spectablis
Zamiaceae
Encephalartoideae
Macrozamiinae
Lepidozamia
Hope’s Cycad – Lepidozamia hopei
Conifers
Araucariaceae
Kauri Pine – Agathis robusta
Podocarpaceae
Brown Pine – Podocarpus grayae
Angiosperms (Flowering Plants)
Monocotyledons
Alismatales
Monsteroideae
Native Monstera – Epipremnum pinnatum
– Pothos brassii
Candle Berry – Pothos longpipes
Needle Berry – Rhaphidophora australasica
Butterfly Vine – Rhaphidophora pachyphylla
Asparagales
Agavaceae
Palm Lily – Cordyline cannifolia
Orchidaceae
Simple Pauper Orchid – Aphyllorchis anomala
– Bolbitis taylori
– Cadetia taylori
– Calanthe triplicate
Golden Orchid – Dendrobium discolour
Blue Orchid – Dendrobium nindii
Bottlebrush Orchid – Dendrobium smilliae
Ground Orchid – Corymborkis veratrifolia
– Gastrodia queenslandica
– Goodyera grandis
– Malaxis xanthochila
– Oberonia attenuata
Mueller’s Orchid (Oberonia muelleriana)
Royal Fairy Orchid (Oberonia titania)
– Podochilus australiensis
– Pseudovanilla foliata
Liliales
Liliaceae
Flax Lily – Dianella caerulea
Smilacaceae
Wombat Berry – Eustrephus latifolius
Sarsparilla Vine – Smilax aculeatissima
Sarsparilla Vine – Smilax australis
Pandanales
Pandanus – Pandanaceae
Climbing Pandanus – Freycinetia excelsa
Narrow Leaf Climbing Pandanus – Freycinetia scandens
Scrub Breadfruit – Pandanus monticola
Palms – Arecanae
Araceae
Cunjevoi – Alocasia brisbanensis
Wait-a-while – Calamus australis
Fishtail Wait-a-while – Calamus hollrungii
Wait-a-while – Calamus moti
Vicious Wait-a-while – Calamus radicalis
– Gymnostachs anceps
Fan Palm – Licuala ramsayi
Walking Stick Palm – Linospadix minor
Black Palm – Normanbya normanbyi
Grasses – Commelinanae
Flagellariaceae
Supplejack Vine – Flagellaria indica
Poaceae
Climbing Bamboo – Bambusa moreheadiana
Waterfall Grass – Oplismenus aemulus
– Oplismenus imbecillus
Pygmy Grass – Panicum pygmaeum
Gingers – Zingiberanae
Pleated Ginger – Alpinia arctiflora
Ginger – Alpinia caerulea
Ginger – Alpinia modesta
Native Cardamon – Hornstedtia scottiana
Ginger – Psychanthus racemigera
Backscratcher Ginger – Tapeinochilos ananassae
Magnoliids
Piperales
Aristolochiaceae
Dutchman’s Pipe – Aristolochia deltanthe
Piperaceae
Native Pepper – Piper caninum
Pepper – Piper novae-hollandiae
Upright Pepper – Piper mestonii
Pepper – Piper rothianum
Magnoliales
Eupomatiaceae
– Eupomatia bennettii
Bolwarra – Eupomatia laurina
Annonaceae
Macassa Oil Tree – Canagra odorata
Haplostichanthus – Haplostichanthus sp. Cape Tribulation
Haplostichanthus – Haplostichanthus sp. Cooper Creek BG 2433
Faeries Baskets – Pseuduvaria froggatii
– Uvaria membranaceae
Orange Jacket – Xylopia maccreai
Myristicaceae
Native Nutmeg – Myristica insipida
Queensland Nutmeg – Myristica globosa subsp. muelleri
Laurales
Calycanthaceae
Idiospermaceae
Ribbonwood – Idiospermum australiense
Atherospermataceae
Grey Sassafras – Daphnandra repandula
Sassafras – Doryphora aromatica
Hernandiaceae
Hernandia albiflora
Monimiaceae
Tetra Beech – Tetrasynandra longpipes
Lauraceae
Yellow Walnut – Beilschmiedia bancroftii
Walnut – Beilschmiedia castrisinensis
Blush Walnut – Beilschmiedia collina
Blush Walnut –Beilschmiedia obtusifolia
Ivory Walnut –Beilschmiedia oligandra
Dogwood – Beilschmiedia recurva
Coach Walnut – Beilschmiedia tooram
Ivory Laurel – Cryptocaria angulata
Coconut Laurel – Cryptocaria cunninghamii
Cinnamon Laurel – Cryptocaria densifolia
White Laurel – Cryptocaria grandis
Northern Laurel – Cryptocaria hypospodia
Glossy Laurel – Cryptocaria laevigata
Rusty Laurel – Cryptocaria mackinnoniana
Murray’s Laurel – Cryptocaria murrayi
Tarzali Silkwood – Cryptocaria oblata
Poison Laurel – Cryptocaria pleurosperma
Brown Laurel – Cryptocaria triplinervis var. riparia
Northern Laurel – Cryptocaria vulgaris
Brown Walnut – Endiandra acuminata
Blush Walnut – Endiandra bessaphila
– Endiandra compressa
Cooper Creek Walnut – Endiandra cooperana
Rose Walnut – Endiandra cowleyeana
Candle Walnut – Endiandra dielsiana
Coach Walnut – Endiandra glauca
– Endiandra grayii
Northern Rose Walnut – Endiandra hypotephra
Steelbutt – Endiandra impressicosta
– Endiandra leptodendron
Noah’s Walnut – Endiandra microneura
Rose Walnut – Endiandra monothyra
Brown Walnut – Endiandra montana
Sankey’s Walnut – Endiandra sankeyana
– Endiandra wolfei
Big Leaf Bollywood – Litsea bindoniana
– Litsea leefeana
White Bollywood – Neolitsea dealbata
Eudicots
Ranunculales
Menispermaceae
Vine – Carronia protensa
Vine – Hypserpa decumbens
Vine – Pachygone ovata
Liane – Parapachygone longifolia
Pearl Vine – Sarcopetalum harveyanum
Tape Vine – Stephania japonica var. timorensis
Proteales
Proteaceae
Atherton Oak – Athertonia diversifolia
Von Mueller’s Silky Oak – Austromuellera trinerva
Spotted Silky Oak – Buckinghamia celsissima
Noah’s Oak – Buckinghamia ferruginflora
Northern Silky Oak – Cardwellia sublimis
Caledonian Oak – Carnarvonia aralifolia
Brown Silky Oak – Darlingia darlingiana
Findlay’s Silky Oak – Grevillea baileyana
Creek Silky Oak – Helicia australasica
– Helicia nortoniana
Briar Silky Oak – Musgravea heterphylla
Balanophoraceae
Balanophora – Balanophora fungosa
Core Eudicots
Caryophyllales
Core Caryophylles
Nyctaginaceae
– Pisonia umbellifera
Dillenaceae
Fire Vine – Tetracera nordtiana var. moluccana
Smooth Fire Vine – Tetracera nordtiana var. wuthiana
Santalales
Mistletoes – Loranthaceae
Mistletoe – Amyema congena
Red Mistletoe – Amylotheca dictophleba
Saxifragales
Grossulariaceae
Native Hydrangea – Abrophyllum ornans
Medium tree – Polosma hirsuta
Hamameliadaceae
Medium tree – Neostearia fleckeri
Rosids
Celastrales
Celastraceae
Hibbocratea barbata
Silver Ash – Hypsophila dielsiana
Fabales
Caesalpiniaceae
Caesalpinia traceyi
Legume Family
Fabaceae
Bloodwood Vine – Austrosteenisia blackii
Vine – Austrosteenisia stipularis
Black Bean – Castanospermum australe
Derris Vine – Derris heterophylla
Yellow Bean – Ormosia ormondii
Forest Flame – Strongylodon lucidus
Mimosoideae
Acacia (Acacieae)
Mimoseae
Mimosoiseae
Archidendron kanisii
Scarlet Bean – Archidendron lucyi
Lace Flower – Archidendron ramiflorum
Salmon Bean – Archidendron vaillanitii
Yellow Siris – Archidendropsis xanthoxylon
Matchbox Bean Vine – Entada phaseoloides
Polygalaceae (incl. Xanthophyllaceae)
Fragrant Boxwoood – Xanthophyllum fragrans
MacIntyre’s Boxwoood – Xanthophyllum octandrum
Rosales
Eleagnaceae
– Eleagnus triflora
Moraceae
Torrent Fig – Ficus adenosperma
Cluster Fig – Ficus congesta
Fig – Ficus copiosa
Banana Fig – Ficus crassipes
Boombil – Ficus hispida
Figwood – Ficus leptclada
Strangler Fig – Ficus obliqua var. obliqua
Fig Vine – Ficus pantoniana
Strangler Fig – Ficus pleurocarpa
Cluster Fig – Ficus racemosa
Fig – Ficus septica
Strangler Fig – Ficus triradiata
Red Stem Fig – Ficus variegata
Strangler Fig – Ficus virens var. virens
Figwood – Ficus virgata
Rhamnaceae
Sarsparilla – Alphitonia phippinensis
Red Ash – Alphintonia whitei
Johnson’s Almond – Schistocarpea johnsonii
Rosaceae
Almond Bark – Prunus turneriana
Wild Raspberry – Rubus moluccanus
Ulmaceae
Poison Peach – Trema Orientalis
Urticaceae
Stinging Tree or Gympie Gympie – Dendrocnide moroides
Malpighiales
Achariaceae
– Ryparosa kurrangii
Dichapetalaceae
– Dichapetalum papuanum
Euphorbiaceae
understorey shrub – Actephila sp. aff. foetida
Candlenut – Aleurites moluccana var. moluccana
Currentwood – Antidesma erostre
Javan Cedar or Needlebark – Bischofia javanica
Coffee Bush – Breynia stipitata
Daintree Choriceras – Choriceras majus
Rusty Cleistanthus – Cleistanthus discolour
Silver Cleistanthus – Cleistanthus myrianthus
medium tree – Dissiliaria laxineris
Toywood – Endospermum myrmecophilum
Buttonwood – Glochidion harveyanum
Daintree Cheese Tree – Glochidion philippicum
White Beech – Glochidion sessiliflorum subsp. pedicellatum
Buttonwood – Glochidion sumatranum
Blushwood – Hylandia dockrillii
Macaranga – Macaranga involucrata
Brown Macaranga – Macaranga involucrata var. mallotoides
Macaranga – Macaranga polyadenia
Needle Bark – Macaranga subdentata
Macaranga – Macaranga tanarius
Kamala – Mallotus polyadenos
Soft Kamala – Mallotus sp. aff. mollissimus
Bleeding Heart – Omolanthus novoguineensis
Vine – Omphalia queenslandiae
understorey shrub – Phyllanthus hypospodius
Kamala – Rockinghamia augustifolia
Ochnaceae
Brown Ochna – Brackenrigida nitida subsp. australiana
Passifloraceae
Native Passionfruit – Adenia heterophylla
Kuranda Passionfruit – Passiflora sp. (Kuranda)
Rhizophoraceae
Corky Bark – Carallia brachiata
Samydaceae
Mallachy’s Silver Birch – Casearia dallachii
– Casearia grewiifolia
Malvales
Core Malvales
Sterculiaceae
Red Tulip Oak – Argyrodendron peralatum
Penta Tulip Oak – Argyrodendron sp. BH2565
Flametree – Brachichiton acerifolius
Brown Kurrajong – Commersonia bartramia
Tulip Sterculia – Franciscodendron laurifolium
Peanut Kurrajong – Sterculia quadrifida
Myrtales
Melastomaceae
Vine – Medinilla balls-headleyi
Myrtaceae
Cassowary Gum – Acmena divaricata
Cassowary Satinash – Acmena graveolens
Blush Satinash – Acmena hemilampra
Grey Satinash – Acmenosperma claviflorum
Grey Satinash – Austromyrtus minutuflora
Stony Backhousia – Backhousia hughesii
Daintree Penda – Lindsayomyrtus racemoides
– Pilidiostigma tetramerum
– lidiostigma troipicum
Iron Malletwood – Rhodamnia sessiliflora
Yellow Penda – Ristantia pachsperma
Bumpy Satinash – Syzygium sp. aff. erythrocalyx
Onionwood – Syzygium alliligneum
Bumpy Satinash – Syzygium cormiflorum
Apricot Satinash – Syzygium fibrosum
Grey Satinash – Syzygium gustavoides
Kuranda Satinash – Syzygium kuranda
Pink Satinash – Syzygium sayeri
– Syzygium sharoniae
Plumb Satinash – Syzygium wilsonii ssp. cryptophlebium
Mulgrave Satinash – Syzygium xerampolinum
Gully Satinash – Waterhousea hedralophylla
Mulgrave Satinash – Waterhousea mulgraveana
Golden Penda – Xanthostemon chrysanthus
– Xanthostemon formosum
Oxalidales
Eleocarpaceae
Blue Quandong – Eleocarpus augustifolia
Kuranda Quandong – Eleocarpus bancroftii
Quandong – Eleocarpus culminicola
White Quandong – Eleocarpus fulveolatus
Quandong – Elaeocarpus grahamii
Star Quandong – Elaeocarpus stellaris
White Carabeen – Sloanea langii
Grey Carabeen – Sloanea macbrydei
Sapindales
Burseraceae
Canarium – Canarium vitiense
Meliaceae
– Aglaia meridionalis
Hairy Aglaia – Aglaia tormentosa
Boodyarra – Aglaia sapondina
Mossman Mahogany – Dysoxylum arborscens
Buff Mahogany – Dysoxylum klanderi
Pink Mahogany – Dysoxylum oppositifolium
Spice Mahogany – Dysoxylum papuanum
Yellow Mahogany – Dysoxylum parasiticum
Spur Mahogany – Dysoxylum pettigrewianum
Miva Mahogany – Dysoxylum setosum
Red Cedar – Toona ciliata
Vavaea – Vavaea amicorum
Rutaceae
Brombya – Brombya platynema
Yellow Evodia – Euodia bonwickii
Yellow Aspen – Euodia haplophylla
– Euodia sp. (Oliver’s Ck. LJW10897)
Yellow Evodia – Euodia xanthxyloides
Silver Ash – Flindersia bourjotiana
Maple Silkwood – Flindersia pimenteliana
Ash – Flindersia schottiana
White Aspen – Medicosma fareana
Daintree Aspen – Medicosma sessiliflora
– Medicosma sp. (indet 1)
– Medicosma sp.(RFK 3503)
Pink Evodia – Melicope elleryana
Northern Evodia – Melicope vitiflora
Sapindaceae
Rose Tamarind – Arytera divaricata
Pink Tamarind – Arytera pauciflora
Brown Tamarind – Castanspora alphandii
Brown Tuckeroo – Cupaniopsis flagelliformis
White Tamarind – Cupaniopsis faveolate
Bernie’s Tamarind – Diploglottis berniana
Northern Tamarind – Diploglottis diphyllostegia
Wild Tamarind – Diploglottis smithii
Daintree Hickory – Ganophyllum falcatum
Glossy Hickory – Guioa acutifolia
Tulipwood – Harpullia pendula
– Harpullia rhyticarpa
Daintree Foambark Tamarind – Jagera javanica subsp. australiana
– Lepiderema hirsuta
– Lepiderema sericolignis ( )
– Mishocarpus albescens
Giant-leafed Tamarind – Mischicarpus grandissimus
Robert’s Tuckeroo – Rhysotoechia robertsonii
Corduroy – Sarcopteryx martyana
– Sarcopteryx reticulata
Synima – Synima cordierorum
Topaz Tamarind – Synima macrophylla
Pink Tamarind – Toechima erythrocarpa
Simaroubaceae
medium tree – Quassia baileyana
Vitaceae
vine – Cayratia trifolia
vine – Cissus penninervis
vine – Cissus repens
Native Grape – Tetrastigma nitens
(Leeaceae)
Bandicoot Berry – Leea indica
Asterids
Asterales
Alseuosmiaceae
– Crispiloba disperma
Apiales
Araliaceae
Gastonia – Gastonia sp. Bloomfield River AQ443302
Ivory Basswood – Polyscias australiana
Celerywood – Polyscias elegans
Spiny Basswood – Polyscias mollis
– Polyscias purpurea
Queensland Umbrella Tree – Schefflera actinophylla
Pittosporaceae
Rusty Pittosporum – Pittosporum ferrugiineum
Hairy Red Pittosporum – Pittosporum rubiginosum
– Pittosporum rubiginosum subsp. wingii
Cornales
Canary Musketheart – Alangium villosum ssp. polyosmoides
Hairy Muskwood – Alangium villosum ssp. tomentosum
Ericales
Actinidiaceae
– Saurauia andreana
Ebenaceae
Ebony – Diospyrus cupulosa
Scrub Ebony – Diospyrus hebecarpa
Myrsinacea
Mountain Ardisia – Ardisia pachyrrhachis
Vine – Embelia australania
Vine – Maesa hyplobotris
Vine – Maesa muelleri
Northern Muttonwood – Rapnea porosa
Sapotaceae
Plum Boxwood – Amorphospermum antilogum
Plum Boxwood – Niemeyer prunifera
Pencil Cedar – Palaquium galactoxylum
medium to large tree – Planchonella obovoides
Thin Leaf Coondoo – Pouteria chartacea
Yellow Boxwood – Pouteria pohlmaniana var. pohlmaniana
Symplocaceae
Blue Hazelwood – Symplocos cyanocarpa
Hairy Hazelwood – Symplocos paucistaminea
White Hazelwood – Symplocos pilosiuscula
Theaceae
Cherry Beech – Ternstroemia cherryi
Gentianales
Apocynaceae
Hard Milkwood – Alstonia muelleriana
Milky Pine – Alstonia scholaris
Cassowary Plum – Cerbera floribunda
– Ichnocarpus frutescens
– Melodinus acutiflorus
– Melodinus australis
White Cheesewood – Wrightia laevis subsp. millgar
Asclepiadoideae
Hoya – Hoya australis
– Hoya australis subsp. tenuipes
Wax Flower – Hoya pottsii
Loganiaceae
– Fragrea berteriana
Porcelain Fruit or Yellow Heart – Fragrea cambagei
Small Vine – Strychnos colubrina
Small Vine – Strychnos minor
Icacinaceae
Buff Alder – Apodytes brachystylis
Silky Beech – Citronella smythii
Buff Alder – Gomphandra australiana
Lamiales
Acathanceae
Pastel Flower – Pseuderanthemum variabile
Gesneriaceae
Native Violet – Boea hydroscopia
Hemi-epiphyte – Lenbrassia australiana
Oleaceae
– Jasminum simplicifolium ssp. australiense
– Linociera sleumeri
Verbenaceae
understorey shrub – Callicarpa longifolia
Lolly Bush – Clerodendron tracyanum
liane – Faradaya splendida
Northern White Beech – Gmelina fasciculiflora
Creek Premna – Premna serratifolia
Vitex – Viticipremna queenslandica
Rubiaceae
Coast Canthium – Canthium coprodmoides
Native Gardenia – Gardenia ovularis
Antirhea – Guettardelia tenuiflora
Ixora – Ixora biflora
Blue Ruby – Lasianthus strigosa
vine – Morinda jasminoides
vine – Morinda salmonensis
Moody Gum – Neonauclea glabra
small understoret shrub – Psychotria dallachiana
Brown Gardenia – Randia fitzalani
Hairy Randia – Randia hirta
False Gardenia – Randia sessilis
small understoret shrub – Wendlandia inclusa
Solanales
Convolvaceae
– Erycibe coccinea
Native Convolvulus – Merremia peltata