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Sweet Bursaria

Also know as Blackthorn.

A woody shrub to small tree, usually with thorny branches. Grows up to 5 – 10 m high.

Leaves

Glabrous, dark green, 20 – 44 mm long and 5 – 9 –mm wide.

Flowers

White, 6 – 10 mm wide, fragrant.

Fruits/Seeds

Dark brown, flattened capsules in clusters. Each capsule to 7 mm long and 9 mm wide containing on average 4 seeds. Seeds reddish brown, flat and oval to kidney shaped.

Field Guide

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  • Species Category: Plants
  • Species origin: Native
  • Conservation status: Common
  • Did You Know?
    • Resprouts after fire
    • Often found with Pittosporum Beetles (Lamprolina aeneipennis) crawling on it

  • What to Observe

    • First fully open single flower

    • Full flowering (record all days)

    • End of flowering (when 95% of the flowers have faded)

    • Open seed pods containing seeds (record all days)

    Climate Adaptations

    Warmer, wetter summers will extend the flowering period. May increase seed set and could extend the range of the species if pollinators are available.

  • When and Where

    When To Look

    • December to July
    • Flowering December to February in NSW
    • Fruiting June to July in NSW

    Where To Look

    • NSW, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory
    • Open eucalypt woodlands from coastal to alpine regions

  • What Else?

    Similar Species

    Bursaria spinosa subsp. lasiophylla is similar but found in eucalypt woodlands with heavier soils. Often found at higher altitudes in tablelands or low mountain ranges in South East Australia.
  • Trails: Anakie Gorge VIC, Cape Conran VIC, Cumberland Land Conservancy Marsdenia NSW, Cumberland Land Conservancy Thornbill NSW, Cumberland Land Conservancy Wallaroo NSW, Cumberland Land Conservancy Wombat NSW, Glen Iris Wetlands VIC, Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens QLD, Gresswell Forest VIC, Haining Farm VIC, James Cook University Townsville QLD, Lakewood Nature Reserve Wantirna South VIC, Morwell NP VIC, Organ Pipes NP VIC, Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne VIC, Rumbalara EEC NSW, Taroona High School TAS, The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan NSW, Urrbrae Wetland SA, Wilsons Promontory NP Tidal River VIC, Yarra Bend Park VIC, Yarra River Main Yarra Trail opp Darling Gardens VIC, 100 Acres Reserve VIC, Currawong Bush Park VIC, Valley Lake SA
  • Species Region: Australia