Plants Of The Hunter Region

The flora of the Hunter Region is both extraordinary and diverse. This section of the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens website aims to introduce readers to the richness and beauty of the local flora, which is often overlooked or undervalued.

Many plants in the region bear small yet fascinating and attractive flowers. The images presented here encourage a closer look at these sometimes inconspicuous blossoms, sparking interest and appreciation for the local flora.

This is not intended as a formal identification guide, though many of the images can assist in identifying plants. For positive identification, there are excellent resources in books and online, some of which are listed below. Additional information can be found under the “Botanical Studies” section of this website.

The definition of the Hunter Region as a floristic area, used here, follows that adopted by Stephen Bell, Christine Rockley, and Anne Llewellyn in their definitive work, The Flora of the Hunter Region, Endemic Trees and Larger Shrubs. This book estimates that 4,000–5,000 plant species exist within the described area.

Due to the scarcity of texts focused specifically on the Hunter Region’s flora, many local and indigenous plants are not well known to the general public. Notable exceptions include Banksias and Flannel Flowers. These images aim to raise awareness of the botanical treasures surrounding us.

While it is impossible to display all the plants of the Hunter Region, the collection will grow as new material becomes available. Superior images may replace existing ones over time, particularly if they better represent the plant. All images are by Kevin Stokes unless otherwise noted, with alternative photographers credited individually.

Botanical names are used alongside accepted common names. However, many plants lack a common name and are identified only by their botanical classification.