Rare and Ancient Plants of the Daintree Rainforest

Rare and Ancient Plants of the Daintree Rainforest

Written by: Cameron Ward

Published: 02/25/2015

Reading time: 3 mins

Richly diverse and teeming with exotic flora and fauna. The Daintree Rainforest is a sparkling jewel in the crown when it comes to the beauty of Australia.

Every year thousands of visitors make their way to the pristine jungle lands of the Daintree. Escape into the dense green canopies and explore a living, breathing Jurassic Park that has thrived since ancient times.

  • Close to Four Hundred Rare Species

    The fragile ecosystem of the Daintree is incredibly intricate. It has deep shade, dappled sunlight and an abundance of fresh cool waters. The unique ecosystem encourages many rare and ancient plants to grow. There are over three thousand plant species growing strong in the Daintree Rainforest waiting for you to discover them. Of these, at lease 365 incredibly rare or endangered which is why they are protected. This ecosystem is delicate and your trip helps to bring you closer to understanding its importance.

  • As Old as the Tyrannosaurus Rex

    One of the most famous plants lives in the heart of the Daintree, the interestingly named Idiot Fruit. These huge trees boast large brown fruits that look quite similar to baseballs. The idiot fruit was discovered over a hundred years ago when it was responsible for the death of cattle who would chew the seeds. This plant species is twice as old as a Tyrannosaurus Rex which makes it an impressive 120 million years old and still going.

  • Forty Species of Fern

    The Daintree Rainforest is full of ferns with over forty species of which can only be found in the rainforest. The King Fern spreads its leaves to look like a palm tree, the Tree Fern is one of the oldest plants on earth and the Tassel Fern is a wonder to behold. The ferns are an essential part of the forest make up lending their soft green hues to the beauty of the lush landscape.

  • Trees as Big as the Statue of Liberty

    Aside from ferns the Daintree Rainforest also boasts the biggest conifer in the whole world known as the Bull kauri. This mammoth tree can reach a staggering forty four meters. It is one of the most impressive trees you  will ever see. It’s so large, it is almost the same size as the statue of liberty.

Not only can you find a wealth of rich, exotic and rare plants in the Daintree Rainforest but you can find plenty of wildlife, some are also endangered. Entering the ethereal forest splashed in its jewelled colours and incredible beauty makes the Daintree an incredible experience for visitors.

Cameron Ward
Cameron Ward
Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia

Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.

Previous article: