Plant fact sheets | Field of Mars EEC

Explore Field of Mars EEC plant fact sheets for NSW primary and secondary students and teachers. These resources introduce native trees, shrubs, ferns and other plants found in Sydney bushland, wetlands, coastal areas, school grounds and other Australian environments.

Use these fact sheets to learn how plants grow, survive, reproduce and provide food, shelter and habitat for animals. They support learning about plant adaptations, life cycles, ecosystems, biodiversity, Aboriginal Peoples’ use of plants, and the links between plants, animals and environments.

Plants fact sheet

Living things that make their own food and provide oxygen, shelter, food and habitat for animals.

An illustration of a bracken fern frond.

Bracken fern fact sheet

A spreading native fern that grows across forest floors, shelters small animals and helps recycle nutrients from leaf litter.

An illustration of a grass tree.

Grass tree fact sheet

A slow-growing native plant with a dark trunk and tall flower spike that provides nectar, shelter and habitat for many animals.

An illustration of a grey mangrove.

Grey mangrove fact sheet

A salt-tolerant coastal tree with breathing roots that protects shorelines and provides habitat for fish, crabs and birds.

An illustration of a hairpin banksia.

Hairpin banksia fact sheet

A native shrub or small tree with narrow leaves and curved flower spikes that attract nectar-feeding birds, insects and mammals.

An illustration of a kunzea flower.

Kunzea fact sheet

A hardy native shrub with small leaves and masses of white flowers that provide shelter and food for insects and birds.

An illustration of a mountain devil flower.

Mountain devil fact sheet

A prickly NSW plant with red nectar-rich flowers and horned seed pods that support honeyeaters and insects.

A illustration of a old man banksia leaf.

Old man banksia fact sheet

A woody banksia with large flower spikes and seed cones that provides nectar, seeds and shelter in dry sclerophyll forests.

An illustration of a paper-bark tree flower.

Paper-bark tree fact sheet

A native tree with soft peeling bark, flowers and spreading branches that provides food, shelter and habitat for wildlife.

An illustration of a scribbly gum tree scribble.

Scribbly gum fact sheet

A smooth-barked eucalypt with scribbly markings, nectar-rich flowers and canopy habitat for birds, insects and other animals.

An illustration of a spider flower.

Spider flowers fact sheet

A group of native grevilleas with spider-like flowers that provide nectar for birds, insects and other pollinators.

An illustration of a spiny-headed matt rush.

Spiny-headed mat rush fact sheet

A tough ground cover plant with strap-like leaves that shelters small animals and helps protect soil in bushland.

An illustration of a swamp she-oak branchlet.

Swamp she-oak fact sheet

A wetland and estuary tree with drooping branchlets that stabilises soil and provides food, shelter and habitat for wildlife.

An illustration of a Sydney peppermint gum nuts.

Sydney peppermint fact sheet

A native eucalypt with peppermint-scented leaves, fibrous bark, nectar-rich flowers and hollows used by animals for shelter.

An illustration of a Sydney red gum.

Sydney red gum fact sheet

A smooth-barked native gum with red-toned bark and nectar-rich flowers that support birds, insects and other wildlife.

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iPad showing the Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre online booking form for primary and secondary excursions and incursions

Book now

Book a teacher-led excursion or incursion where students investigate native plants, habitats, ecosystems and local environments.

iPad showing links to excursions and incursions offered by Field of Mars EEC.

Learning programs

Explore primary and secondary programs that use hands-on fieldwork to investigate plants, biodiversity, adaptations and ecosystems.

iPad displaying a Field of Mars digital learning resource that supports excursions, incursions and fieldwork skills

Learning resources

Use online lessons and classroom activities to support learning about native plants, animals, habitats and fieldwork skills.

Illustration representing native plants and animals used for Field of Mars flora and fauna fact sheets to support primary and secondary learning.

Flora and fauna fact sheets

Browse related fact sheets about Australian plants, animals, habitats, ecosystems and environments.