Reference Community: Sandstone Dry Ridge-top Woodland

Site: Mackay Reserve, Palm Beach

Soil landscape: Gymea - Undulating to rolling low hills with local relief 20–80m, broad convex crests, moderately inclined sideslopes with wide benches, localised rock outcrop on low broken scarps.

Aspect: Predominantly occurring on West-Facing aspects on the Barrenjoey Peninsula, but is widespread elsewhere in Northern Sydney.

Vegetation type: Dry woodland

Flora:

A sea of Slender Rice Flower (Pimelea linifolia) emerging in the post-burn site

Sydney Red Gum (Angophora costata) rising through the understorey

Slender Rice Flower (Pimelea linifolia)

The canopy creates a dappled effect on the understorey - pockets of light for vegetation to grow within

Twisted Mat-Rush (Lomandra obliqua)

Golden Pea (Aotus ericoides) in flower

Ridge-top woodland

Screw Fern (Lindsaea linearis) spinning through the leaf fall

Varied Mitrewort (Mitrasacme polymorpha) flowering

The ground is thick with Flannel Flowers (Actinotus helianthi)

Flannel Flowers (Actinotus helianthi) and Blue Flax Lily (Dianella caerulea)

A medley: Large Bronze Bush Pea (Pultanea ferruginea), Sweet-Scented Wattle (Acacia suaveolens), Flannel Flower (Actinotus helianthi)

A Red Bearded Orchid (Calochilus paludosis)

Lilac Lily (Schelhammera undulata) in bloom

The snaking branches of the Sydney Red Gum (Angophora costata) frame the sky

Gorse Bitter-Pea (Daviesia ulicifolia)

Umbrella Fern (Sticherus flabellatus) finds a nook in a Sandstone-Cliff Soak to occupy

Broad Leaf Star Hair (Astrotricha latifolia)

A more mesic zone creates the right climate for (left to right) Sweet Pittosporum (Pittosporum undulatum), Blueberry Ash (Elaeocarpus reticulatus), and Hill Water Gum (Tristaniopsis collina).

Fuschia Heath (Epacris longiflora) in bright bloom