Littoral Rainforests of New South Wales

Plants often have thick and leathery leaves, as a protection against sea winds. Vines are common. Tree species are often from the following botanical families: Myrtaceae, Lauraceae, Sapindaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Moraceae and Rutaceae. Salt tolerant species such as plum pine, tuckeroo, red-fruited olive plum, black apple, mock olive and bolwarra are often encountered.^[4] Endangered species include the coast fontainea and the scented acronychia. Ferns are less often seen than in nearby sub-tropical rainforests. Non rainforest species are occasionally seen in these forests, such as the coast banksia (Banksia integrifolia) and bangalay (Eucalyptus botryoides).^[1]

The rainforest grows on beach sand, quartz-rich sediments, meta-sediments or on coastal headlands enriched by volcanic minerals. Sea winds add fertility to the sandy soils, with air borne minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus. Relative humidity is high, and the climate is equable with higher minimum temperatures than further inland. Rainfall is generally over one metre per year. Salt scalding from the sea winds often produces an even and dense canopy.^[4]

• "Littoral rainforests and coastal vine thickets of eastern Australia". Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) policy statement – Nationally threatened species and ecological communities guidelines. Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Australian Government. March 2009. Retrieved 22 March 2013.