Island Flora

Asian Spiderflower (Cleome viscosa)

Found along the path to Blue Lagoon and on the hike to Cook’s Look.

It belongs to the family Cleomaceae
It is widely distributed in warm and humid habitats across the Americas, Africa and Asia, and in Australia. It is only native to Australia and considered invasive elsewhere
The traditional use of the tree varies. The leaves are used as external application to wounds and ulcers. The seeds are anthelmintic and carminative. The juice of the leaves is used as a remedy against discharge of pus from the ear

Ruby Leaf (Alternanthera brasiliana)

Found along the path to the airstrip and on top of Chinaman’s Ridge.

Amaranth Family
Ornamental plant grown for its beauty and scent
It is often harvested from the wild for regional use as a food and medicine, where it is used as an antiviral and anti-diarrhea agent
The plant is native to Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas, Nicaragua, Belize, Guatemala, Mexico and the Caribbean
Most species of joyweed including this one, are invasive to Queensland

Australian Umbrella Tree (Heptapleurum actinophyllum)

On Lizard Island these trees are spread all over the island and are a favourite among the Varied Honey Eater birds and Black Flying Foxes.

A tree in the family Araliaceae
It is native to tropical rainforests and gallery forests in northern and northeastern Queensland coasts and the Northern Territory as well as New Guinea and Java
Common names include Australian umbrella tree, Queensland umbrella tree, octopus tree and amate
The up to 1,000 flowers produced by the plant generate large amounts of nectar, attracting nectar-eating birds that pollinate them
The fruits are eaten by many birds and animals including musky-rat kangaroos, and red-legged pademelons. Its leaves are a favorite food of the Bennett’s tree kangaroo. One of only two species of tree kangaroos in Australia both found near the Daintree Rainforest

Thatch Screwpine (Pandanus tectorius)

Found scattered around the island and most dense along the track in Watson’s Bay near the Black Flying Fox colony, giving the path its name: The Pandanus Track.

A species of Pandanus (screwpine) that is native to Malesia, Papuasia, eartern Australia and the Pacific Islands
It grows in the coastal lowlands typically near the edge of the ocean
Common names in English include thatch screwpine, Tahitian screwpine, hala tree (pū hala in Hawaiian) and pandanus
It is supported by aerial roots (prop roots) that firmly anchor the tree to the ground. Roots sometimes grow along the branch, and they grow at wide angles in proportion to the trunk
The fruit is edible and sometimes known as hala fruit. Although not closely related, the fruit resembles a pineapple. The fruit is made up of 38–200 wedge-like phalanges, often referred to as keys or carpels,, which have an outer fibrous husk. The color of the fruit can be yellow, orange, or red with a green top. The phalanges are buoyant, and the seeds within them can remain viable for many months while being transported by ocean currents
They are extremely useful and important plants for Aboriginal people, a 'one stop shop' with different parts being used for craft objects like the Pandanus Didgeridoo, food and medicine. Many animals also use them as a home
Aboriginal people carried slow smouldering Pandanus branches to transfer fire from camp to camp when they travelled
The core of the pandanus trunk has been used to treat stomach pain, diarrhoea, wounds, toothache and mouth sores
The tree's large clusters of woody nuts contain seeds that can be eaten raw or roasted. The leaf fibres are woven into baskets, bags and mats, as well as headbands that are used to treat headaches

Coffee Bush (Breynia oblongifolia)

Found along the path to Blue Lagoon and around the Research Station where much of the vegetation requires very little water or nutrients, yet still flowers and blooms with colour.

Small, green flowers are produced in spring and summer, and these are followed by orange or pink berries about 6mm (0.24in) diameter that turn black when fully ripe
It’s dependent on leaf flower moths (Epicephala spp.) found on the island for its pollination, like other species of trees in the genus Breynia
This berry provides food for the resident Rose-Crowned Fruit Doves and regular visiting birds

Northern Wattle (Acacia crassicarpa)

These trees can be found all over the island especially along the pathway to Casuarina Beach.

A tree in the family Mimosaceae
Northern wattle are very diverse, and many species have been useful to humans for thousands of years. These species have been used for tanning processes, construction, and furniture. The hardened sap (acacia gum) found in some species is used in watercolor painting, ceramic glazes, and fireworks
Common to find a colony of Green Ant Nests in these trees, ranging from 5-10 nests per tree in the area, with up to 1 million green ants making up a single colony
The first peoples of Australia used green ant nests and ants by crushing them up with hot water to drink

Pop-gun Seed (Bridelia tomentosa)

Found along the path to Blue Lagoon where the vegetation is the most diverse on the island.

Leaf-flower Family Phyllanthaceae
Deciduous to evergreen primary or secondary forests or thickets; near sea level to 1000 (-1500) metres
This tropical shrub or small tree is named after its seeds, which were used by children as "bullets" for their toy guns
The bark of the pop-gun seed tree contains a significant amount of tannin, and it is used to produce a black dye
During the flowering period, the Pop-gun Seed can provide nectar to wild animals including the Olive-backed sunbirds
Some of the world’s largest insect species like the Giant Rainforest Mantis (Hierodula majuscule) and Giant Grasshopper (Valanga irregularis) can be found here on
these shrubs

Beach morning Glory (Ipomoea pes-caprae)

Found along most beaches on Lizard Island including Anchor Bay and Mangrove Beach.

Common pantropical creeping vine belonging to the family Convolvulaceae
Salt tolerant plant and provides one of the best known examples of oceanic dispersal. Its seeds float and are unaffected by saltwater
In Australia, it is a commonly used aboriginal medicine used as poultice for sting ray and stone fish stings
In Brazil, is known as salsa-da-praia in folk medicine, and is used to treat inflammation and gastrointestinal disorders
Pes-caprae comes from the Latin 'pes' for foot and 'caprae' for goat and refers to the resemblance of the outline of the leaf to the footprint of a goat

She-oak Tree (Casuarina equisetifolia)

Found lining the beaches of Anchor Bay, Watson’s bay and Casuarina Beach. Most likely to find the pheasant coucal or white breasted wood swallows on branches.

This odd plant belongs in its own family - Casuarinaceae. they can tolerate drought, fix nitrogen, and have high timber value
Despite their gymnosperm appearance, this is in fact a family of flowering plants
Though the name “she-oak” does hint at their larger position within the order Fagales, it was actually given to these trees in reference to the density of their wood in comparison to more commonly harvested oak species. Other common coastal she-oak include horsetail she-oak, beach she-oak, beach casuarina or whistling tree
Edge of branches are preferred by Olive Backed sunbirds to make seasonal nests for breeding

Eucalyptus Trees

This is the best tree to find the Rose-crowned fruit doves on the higher branches around the resort. In the lower V of these trees, bar shouldered doves will make their nests out of twigs.

The Eucalyptus forest type is by far the most common forest type in Australia covering 101 million hectares, which is 77% of Australia's total native forest area. The term 'eucalypt' includes approximately 800 species in the three genera Angophora, Corymbia and Eucalyptus. A handful of different species can be found on Lizard Island
The up to 1,000 flowers produced by the plant generate large amounts of nectar, attracting nectar-eating birds like our Olive-backed sunbirds that pollinate them. The fruits are eaten by many birds and animals. The leaves are a favourite food of the Bennett’s tree-kangaroo in the Daintree Rainforest
Black Flying Foxes play an important role as pollinators carrying the seeds on their furry bellies as they move from tree to tree, helping strengthen the native
forests

Golden Orchid (Dendrobium discolor)

Flowering occurs from April to December, similar timing to when the Rainbow Bee-Eater birds arrive on the island feeding on almost 300 bees and wasps a day.

Also known as Antler orchid, this plant grows in coastal scrub and on mangroves, in coastal rainforest, and woodland, sometimes on rocks
It has cylindrical pseudobulbs, each with between ten and thirty five leathery leaves, and flowering stems with up to forty mostly brownish or greenish flowers with wavy and twisted sepals and petals
Many moths, butterflies and bees can be found on these flowers

Rosary Pea (Abrus precatorius)

Admire these flowers among the other spectacular array of diverse flowering plants on the walk to Blue Lagoon. Please be aware, the seeds are toxic.

A herbaceous flowering plant in the bean family Fabaceae
Commonly known as jequirity bean or rosary pea and is native to Asia and Australia
It is a slender, perennial climber with long, pinnate-leafleted leaves that twine around trees, shrubs, and hedges
The plant is best known for its seeds, which are used as beads and in percussion instruments, also valued in native jewelry for their bright coloration. The seeds are toxic because of the presence of abrin
Ingestion of a single seed, well chewed, can be fatal to both children and adults
In traditional medicine the white variety is used to prepare oil that is claimed to be an aphrodisiac, while a tea is made from the leaves and used for fevers, coughs and
colds

Tuckeroo (Cupaniopsis anacardioides)

There are many Tuckeroo trees found in Watson’s Bay with occasional bird visitors such as the Common Koel seen around May-July.

A species of flowering tree in the soapberry family, Sapindaceae that is native to eastern and northern Australia. The usual habitat is littoral rainforest on sand or near estuaries as it’s a salt tolerant plant
Also named tuckeroo, carrotwood, beach tamarind and green-leaved tamarind
The fruit is edible and has a tangy punch
A favorite for the Black-spotted Flash butterfly (Hypolycaena phorbas)

Beach Almond Tree (Terminalia catappa)

Take a few steps outside the resort’s waterfront restaurant, Saltwater Restaurant, and be amazed at the enormously beautiful Beach Almond Tree situated right there.

A large tropical tree in the leadwood tree family, Combretaceae and native to Australia
Common names: country almond, Indian almond, Malabar almond, sea almond, tropical almond, and beach almond
They are one of the few trees which lose their leaves during winter on the island. Usually by the end of August all their leaves have turned a deep red and have fallen, littering the ground with a mosaic of rich warm hues
Their fruits which contain an almond seed are edible, medicinal and also a well known cassowary food
The fruit is edible and tastes slightly acidic like almonds. The flesh is difficult to separate from the hard stone but can be eaten raw and oil can be extracted from the dried nuts used in cooking. The green almond-shaped fruit turns red to purple when ripe and the seeds are dispersed by water. The smooth outer skin covers an inner layer of
corky fibres which surround the nut and help the fruit to float

Grey Mangrove (Avicennia marina)

The island’s only two mammals can be found around the mangroves in Watson’s Bay and Mangrove beach in Blue Lagoon.

A species of mangrove tree classified in the plant family Acanthaceae
As with other mangroves, it occurs in the intertidal zones of estuarine areas
Commonly known as grey mangrove or white mangrove
The yellow leaf is the oldest leaf on the tree, also called the sacrificial leaf. The salt concentrates in the older leaf and is removed when it falls, leaving the rest of the plant with fresh water
The island’s only two mammals can be found around the mangroves in Watson’s Bay and Mangrove beach in Blue Lagoon. One being the native Australian water-rat, although it is much more like an otter in appearance and behaviour. Rakali are also adept at killing the invasive species the cane toads and are one of the only native species to be able to do so. Another local being the Black Flying Foxes that inhabit the eucalypt trees next to the mangroves. The bats benefit from the mangrove flowers as well as the
fresh water the mangroves create, by flying down to the water to dip their furry bellies in to cool down from the tropical heat in summertime
Aboriginal peoples and Europeans used grey mangrove timber for shields and boat-building respectively due to its light weight and strength. Grey mangrove timber was also an important resource for oyster growers in the 1900s, which led to the protection of mangroves under early fisheries legislation
Grey mangroves stabilise river banks and channels, work as a source of pollen for beekeepers, and provide suitable habitats for waterbirds and juveniles of important recreational and commercial fish species. They also increase the amenity value of our waterways by screening development and buffering storm surges and wind

Weeping Paperbark (Melaleuca leucadendra)

Found around the entire island, most noticeable around the resort and on the way to the Research Station. The flowers are a favorite for Black Flying Foxes and you are most likely to see Pheasant Coucals on the lower branches.

A plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae, and is widespread in northern Australia, Southeast Asia, New Guinea and the Torres Strait Islands
It is a tree, sometimes growing to more than 20m (70ft) with a trunk covered with thick, white, papery bark and weeping thinner branches. It has a long flowering season, can flower at almost any time of the year and is often grown as a tree in parks and on roadsides
Aboriginal people used strips of bark from this tree and tied them to a frame of Dodonaea branches to build huts that were waterproof. The bark was used to wrap food before cooking in an underground oven called a kap mari. It was also used to wrap the bodies of their dead. The bark from trunks of very large trees was used to make bark canoes. The crushed leaves were used to treat respiratory infections and the flowers for making a sweet drink

Yellow Kapok (Cochlospermum gillivraei)

Found all around Lizard Island, increasingly more along the hike to Cook’s Look.

Deciduous, small ornamental shrub/tree that can can grow up to 7m tall with showy large yellow edible flowers which taste like butter and are used in Asian salads. Unique fruits filled with dense white fibre
These flowers develop into green, capsule-like pods, which harden, turn brown and split open to release seeds attached to a fluffy cotton-like
material called kapok
The indigenous people of northern Australia would eat the flowers, either raw or cooked, and the roots of young plants. The fluffy kapok is used for ceremonial body decorations, while the bark can be made into string and paintbrushes
Common to see birds like the island’s regular visitor bird species the Rainbow Bee-Eaters sitting on the branches

Asian Spiderflower (Cleome viscosa)

Found along the path to Blue Lagoon and on the hike to Cook’s Look.

Ruby Leaf (Alternanthera brasiliana)

Found along the path to the airstrip and on top of Chinaman’s Ridge.

Australian Umbrella Tree (Heptapleurum actinophyllum)

On Lizard Island these trees are spread all over the island and are a favourite among the Varied Honey Eater birds and Black Flying Foxes.

Thatch Screwpine (Pandanus tectorius)

Found scattered around the island and most dense along the track in Watson’s Bay near the Black Flying Fox colony, giving the path its name: The Pandanus Track.

Coffee Bush (Breynia oblongifolia)

Found along the path to Blue Lagoon and around the Research Station where much of the vegetation requires very little water or nutrients, yet still flowers and blooms with colour.

Northern Wattle (Acacia crassicarpa)

These trees can be found all over the island especially along the pathway to Casuarina Beach.

Pop-gun Seed (Bridelia tomentosa)

Found along the path to Blue Lagoon where the vegetation is the most diverse on the island.

Beach morning Glory (Ipomoea pes-caprae)

Found along most beaches on Lizard Island including Anchor Bay and Mangrove Beach.

She-oak Tree (Casuarina equisetifolia)

Found lining the beaches of Anchor Bay, Watson’s bay and Casuarina Beach. Most likely to find the pheasant coucal or white breasted wood swallows on branches.

Eucalyptus Trees

This is the best tree to find the Rose-crowned fruit doves on the higher branches around the resort. In the lower V of these trees, bar shouldered doves will make their nests out of twigs.

Golden Orchid (Dendrobium discolor)

Flowering occurs from April to December, similar timing to when the Rainbow Bee-Eater birds arrive on the island feeding on almost 300 bees and wasps a day.

Rosary Pea (Abrus precatorius)

Admire these flowers among the other spectacular array of diverse flowering plants on the walk to Blue Lagoon. Please be aware, the seeds are toxic.

Tuckeroo (Cupaniopsis anacardioides)

There are many Tuckeroo trees found in Watson’s Bay with occasional bird visitors such as the Common Koel seen around May-July.

Beach Almond Tree (Terminalia catappa)

Take a few steps outside the resort’s waterfront restaurant, Saltwater Restaurant, and be amazed at the enormously beautiful Beach Almond Tree situated right there.

Grey Mangrove (Avicennia marina)

The island’s only two mammals can be found around the mangroves in Watson’s Bay and Mangrove beach in Blue Lagoon.

Weeping Paperbark (Melaleuca leucadendra)

Found around the entire island, most noticeable around the resort and on the way to the Research Station. The flowers are a favorite for Black Flying Foxes and you are most likely to see Pheasant Coucals on the lower branches.

Yellow Kapok (Cochlospermum gillivraei)

Found all around Lizard Island, increasingly more along the hike to Cook’s Look.

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