Plants of Byron
Byron at Byron is set within 45-acres of lush rainforest and has been designed and built with care and concern for this unique environment.
Since opening, a dedicated, experienced regeneration team has been in place to restore the native plant communities on an ongoing basis. Many species of birds and native plants, several species of reptiles and amphibians and one macropod species (swamp wallaby) have been identified within the resort grounds.
There are three main plant communities on the site; Bangalow Palm rainforest (lowland subtropical rainforest on floodplain), Paperbark forest (swamp sclerophyll forest on coastal floodplain), and Coastal Cypress Pine forest.
Image credit: Sam Clarke
Here is a list of the many of the native plants located within the rainforest and has been designed to help you take a self-guided walking tour along the boardwalk.
The listed plants have been identified with signs placed close to the boardwalk. Just follow the boardwalk in any direction and refer to the list when you see a sign that takes your interest.
Don’t forget to look up into the trees as you walk about – the view is quite amazing. And also take the time to simply stand, be still and absorb the sights and sounds of these unique forests.
Keep a lookout for interpretive signage positioned at intervals throughout the rainforest.
Bangalow Palm Archontophoenix cunninghamiana
This tall palm thrives in the very wet conditions that can be found in this type of rainforest, although it requires periodic dryer periods.
Batswing Fern Histiopteris incisa
The lower sections of the fronds are said to resemble a bats wing, hence its name. This fast growing fern can grow up to 2.5 metres high.
Beach Acronychia Acronychia imperforata
Beach Acronychia is a common tree in lowland rainforest near the sea. It has clusters of small, yellow flowers and round yellow to orange fruits.
Bird’s Nest Fern Asplenium australasicum
The leaves of this beautiful fern channel organic matter and moisture into its centre and so it is superbly adapted to life in the rainforest.
Blueberry Ash Elaeocarpus reticulatus
This tree has dainty flowers which resemble ballerina skirts. Flowers are followed by brilliant blue fruits.
Blue Lilly Pilly Syzygium oleosum
This lovely tree has very aromatic leaves, white, fluffy flowers and colourful blue fruits.
Bolwarra Eupomatia laurina
This bushy rainforest shrub bears aromatic cream or white flowers followed by small, urn-shaped fruits.
Broad-leaved Paperbark Melaleuca quinquenervia
Sweet-smelling flowers attract flying foxes, possums and birds. Adapted to alternating periods of dry and wet conditions as found in this rainforest.
Brown Bolly Gum Litsea australis
This tree bears clusters of greenish flowers followed by black fruits which are very attractive to birds.
Cheese Tree Glochidion ferdinandi
Rainforest tree so-called because its fruits resemble little round cheeses.
Climbing Maidenhair Fern Lygodium microphyllum
This climbing fern is relatively uncommon. Each frond can grow up to 2–3 meters in length.
Coastal Cypress Pine Callitris columellaris
This uncommon, large pine tree grows on coastal sands and is adapted to salt-laden winds.
Common Reed Phragmites australis
This large reed provides valuable habitat for waterbirds. It is also very useful in preventing erosion of the creek banks.
Coolamon Syzygium moorei
This beautiful tree grows in subtropical rainforest and bears fluffy, pink flowers and large, round fruits. It is now very rare.
Creek Sandpaper Fig Ficus coronata
This tree has rough leaves (feel them) and edible, hairy fruits which are favoured by birds.
Crinum Lily Crinum pedunculatum
This large lily commonly occurs in a variety of habitats, from rainforests to coastal creeks and swamps. It produces large, white, perfumed flowers.
Cunjevoi Alocasia brisbanensis
This large herb grows mainly in the understorey of rainforests. It produces sweet smelling flowers and bright red berries. All parts of this plant are poisonous.
Denhamia Denhamia celastroides
This rainforest tree can grow up to 18 metres in height. It bears small, creamy white flowers followed by small, hard, yellowish fruits .
Giant Sedge Lepironia articulata
This beautiful sedge grows on the margins of lakes and swamps and provides important habitat for waterbirds.
Hard Corkwood Endiandra sieberi
This large tree produces prominent deeply ridged, corky bark. Its glossy black fruits provide important food for fruit-eating pigeons.
King Fern Todea barbara
This impressive large fern can grow up to 1.5 metres high.
Mangrove Fern Acrostichum speciosum
This large, coarse fern grows into large clumps and grows commonly in estuaries. It tolerates frequent salt-water inundation.
Native Ginger Alpinia caerulea
This plant usually grows in the understorey of rainforests. It bears sweet smelling flowers and bright blue fruits.
Pink Doughwood Melicope elleryana
This tree bears clusters of pink flowers which are very attractive to butterflies.
Restio Baloskion tetraphyllum
This attractive, feathery plant thrives in damp, swampy sands in coastal districts.
Ribbonwood Euroschinus falcata
This lovely rainforest tree produces clusters of pink flowers followed by small, black, egg-shaped fruits which are an important source of food for many species of rainforest birds. When crushed, its leaves
smell like mangoes.
Riberry Syzygium leuhmannii
This is an extremely beautiful plant with dense, weeping foliage with bright-pale pink new growth. Small, white flowers are followed by masses of pinkish-red berries
Saffron-heart Halfordia kendack
This attractive rainforest tree produces masses of small, greenish flowers followed by dark, purplish fruits which are relished by rainforest birds. Its leaves are aromatic when crushed.
Sawsedge Gahnia clarkei
This plant thrives in the wet conditions found in this rainforest. It gets its name from the saw-like edges of its leaves!
Scrambling Lily Geitonoplesium cymosum
This slender climber with glossy, green leaves produces attractive white, pendant flowers followed by black, shiny fruits.
Strangler Fig Ficus watkinsiana
This lovely tree can grow up to 45 metres in height. When damaged, it produces copious milky sap. Its large, succulent fig fruits are a very important source of food for several species of rainforest pigeons and
Tooth-leaved Cordyline Cordyline congesta
This attractive plant is relatively uncommon. It bears clusters of bright orange-red fruits.
Willow Bottlebrush Callistemon salignus
This tree thrives in low-lying, damp areas. Its creamywhite, fluffy flowers attract honey-eaters, parrots and sugar gliders.