Native Trees

Small tree with narrow grey-green leaves, large beaked woody fruits, winged seeds and intricate yellow-orange flowers. Eye-catching fruits split and remain on tree for several months after seeding. Hardy, unique and versatile tree. 3-6M

Shrub or small tree with unique needle-like leaves, sometimes weeping in habit. Striking corky bark and magnificently bold cream flowers, which can grow from trunk. Uncommon in cultivation. Full sun and rocky or sandy soils. 2-7m

Decorative endemic shrub or small tree with edible red berries and evergreen glossy green foliage. Eye-catching large fruits plump and bold when ripe. Favoured bush tucker. Grows in vine thickets and forests. Tolerates part shade. Unique and sought after feature or screening shrub. 1-3m

Hardy endemic sprawling shrub or small tree. Striking miniature grey-green angular foliage with lightly furred stems. Bright yellow globular flowers. Dense form provides excellent habitat for native birds. Versatile feature, screening or border plant for gardens, rockeries and streetscapes. Prefers full sun. 1-3M

Highly variable shrub or small tree. Distinct powdery whitish bark, bold blue-green crescent moon shaped leaves and profusions of bright yellow cylindrical flowers. Hardy and fast growing specimen ideal for borders and screening. Prefers full sun. 2-6M

Australia’s largest Cycad palm, NT’s most robust and fastest growing. Native to Borroloola/Gulf country. Showy dark green fronds, striking grey-black trunk and roundish fruit turning brown-orange when ripe. Found in open grassy woodland. Iconic feature plant for parks and gardens. 3-10M

Rare, slender small-medium tree with large clusters of striking cream flowers. Unusual long, fine needle-like leaves and rough, corky grey bark. Uncommon in cultivation. Prefers sandy soils in full sun. 5-7M

Endemic small Bloodwood with dazzling bright red flowers, twisted and irregular branches, sometimes weeping, and characteristic bristly leaves. Rough grey or brown bark. Hardy, unique and unusual feature tree for parks and gardens. 5-7M

Very rare NT endemic Grevillea restricted to the Narbarlek area of western Arnhem Land. Ornate feature garden planting with exquisite pale pink pendulous flowers and unusual deeply lobed spiky foliage. Prefers full sun and sandy soils but can tolerate seasonal inundation 1-5M

Unique Pandanus palm found only along sites of permanent freshwater. Often clumping, with clustered spiralling leaves and large round fruiting body that floats in water and is eaten by turtles. Hardy feature plant for waterway borders and wetland edges. 3-5M

Medium sized stately, slender wattle. Attractive brown grey corky bark and beautiful yellow flowers in bloom. Very hardy, fast growing and tolerates a variety of habitats. Common in watercourses and woodland. Excellent showy tree for gardens, rural properties, windbreaks and rehabilitation or soil stabilisation. 2-5M

Impressive slender small tree with rigid, usually curved or wavy grey-green leaves and arresting blooms of creamy-white flowers. Sticky caustic coating on ripe fruits can burn on contact with skin. Prefers rocky or sandy well-drained soils in full sun. 1.5-3M

Beautiful mostly evergreen gum tree endemic to the Top End. Gorgeous pale pink to yellowish new bark, maturing to stunning smooth white bark throughout. Ascending branches, blue grey tinged foliage and open crown. Small cream green flower clusters. Often found in heavy soils on seasonally flooded, low lying areas of the western Top End although hardy garden or parkland specimen once established. 8-18M

Stunning slender medium sized ghost gum, endemic to the Top End. Scaly scarf of lower bark becoming smooth yellowish to creamy white - orange brown upper bark. Semi-glossy narrow pendulous green foliage creates excellent residential, rural and parkland shade. White flowers an important source of nectar for native birds & bees. Grows in open forest, sandstone escarpments and plateaus from Litchfield, Pine Creek through Arnhem Land to Gulf of Carpentaria. 7-12M

Medium sized semi-deciduous and extremely hardy woodland shade tree with dense spreading crown. Rough tessellated blackish grey lower trunk, abruptly changing to smooth, white above. Stunning new season reddish pink-purple foliage with creamy white flowers, an important source of nectar for native birds & bees. 9-12M

Large, extremely fast growing and rare NT Native pioneering tree with spreading canopy, distinctive buttress roots, profuse bird attracting flowers and bright red foliage flush. Spherical brilliant blue fruit high in Vitamin C and prized for edibility, useful for jams. Tolerates full sun or part shade, prefers rich well drained soils. 15-25M

Delightful medium sized slender sub tropical Nth Qld tree. Large drooping leaves, attractive pendulous sprays of reddish brown flowers and refreshingly tart red-purple fruit, considered one of Australia's best wild fruits. Useful in jams, jellies, cordials and sauces. Tolerates part or full sun, prefers moist fertile soils. Attractive to birds, bees and insects. 4-8M

Beautiful small to medium Nth QLD wet/dry rainforest tree, with dark green glossy evergreen foliage and masses of stunning long creamy flowerheads. Host species for butterfly larvae, very attractive to bees and nectar eating birds. Popular park, streetscape and garden planting for floral displays, low maintenance and durability once established. Tolerates variety of well drained soils in sunny/shady locations. In cultivation generally 8-12M

Fast growing, very hardy and evergreen understory bushy shrub or small tree. Smooth globular red-black fleshy berries favoured by birds. Widely distributed in coastal monsoon vine thickets, sand dunes, cliffs, rock outcrops, open woodland, sandstone and lowland country. Foundation ornamental screening tree for revegetation, coastal plantings and urban/rural gardens. 1-5M

Medium sized stately wattle with attractive brown grey flaky bark and beautiful yellow flowers in bloom. Very hardy, fast growing and tolerates a variety of habitats. Common in sandstone escarpment, deep riverine sand and open forest or woodland. Excellent showy tree for gardens and rural properties. Also useful as windbreak and for rehabilitation or soil stabilisation. 2-6M

Common medium to large NT paperbark found in heavy clay soils including regularly inundated coastal areas. Grey, brown or whitish papery bark, silky new foliage and white, cream or green-yellow dense flower spikes. Wide indigenous and medicinal uses. Leaves used for antibacterial/anti-inflammatory ‘Cajuput oil’. Excellent shade, shelter and estuarine habitat tree, able to tolerate brackish and acid sulphate soils. Can grow larger but commonly 10-20M

Elegant and hardy NT native coastal shade tree with dense canopy, often found in sand or mud behind mangroves or in monsoon vine forests. Mottled grey to black smooth bark, occasionally multi stemmed. Very wind resistant. Yellow-orange fruits throughout the year favoured by birds. 5-10M

Spectacular fast growing South American leguminous shade tree with wide spreading spherical shade canopy. Dark-reddish brown bark, large edible ear/kidney shaped seed pods and extremely fragrant flowers. Nitrogen fixing tree which helps bind soil, preserve moisture & prevent erosion. Very hardy & drought tolerant cattle shade tree. Highly palatable seeds, foliage and fruit provide plentiful & extremely nutritious fodder for all livestock. 25-35M

The most widespread species of boab, native to Africa. Extremely long-lived 2,000+ years, with trunk diameter of 10M+. Stunning fast growing deciduous specimen feature tree for open sunny hot areas, with large white hanging scented flowers. Traditional food plant in Africa. Leaves, roots and fruits are edible. Very hardy & drought tolerant. 15-20M

Beautiful, iconic and endemic native Cycad found across Top End Eucalyptus and open deciduous woodland forests. One of the smallest species. Listed as vulnerable and fully protected in the NT. A stunning termite resistant ornamental landscape feature planting. Light orange-brown palm like new feathery leaves, becoming glossy at maturity. Extremely fire tolerant and long lived. Deciduous, less so under irrigation. Wide indigenous uses, although all parts considered toxic.

Graceful, decorative large spreading tree with diagonally layered branches, highly scented flowers and tasty sweet edible purple fruits. Excellent fast growing Top End native shade tree. Red-maroon flush before dropping leaves, with foliage returning soon after in bold fluorescent green flush. Common urban & rural streetscape and parkland planting. Bird & butterfly attractant. 10-20M

Very attractive small tree with neat compact form & dense dark green foliage contrasting with profusion of cream flowers. Bright pink-red fruits can be eaten raw, used to make jam, flavourings or added to Gin/Vodka drinks. Excellent bird attractant, landscaping, streetscape and feature garden planting. 4-6M

Small to medium semi-deciduous spreading bushland tree with pale green fruit, cream flowers and large oval leaves. The fruit is the world's highest known natural source of Vitamin C. Commercially harvested for its culinary uses including gourmet bush condiments like jams, chutneys and pickles. 5-7M

Small to moderate sized tree with spreading canopy, large oval leaves, dense shade and showy white flowers. Edible large white fruit with dry sharp apple taste. Useful for filling and screening. 5-10M

Stunning large, hardy & rare true-form NT Native shrub to small tree. (SYN: Melaleuca viminalis). Gorgeous foliage and profuse bright crimson red flower spikes, very attractive to a variety of native birds. Excellent fast growing & showy screening plant for sandy/clay soils in full sun. Useful for erosion control. Can tolerate coastal environments, light shade and be readily pruned. Requires moisture for establishment. 5-7M