Rainforest Creek Plants

Blue Quandong

• Blue Quandong, or elaeocarpus grandis, is a fast-growing plant that can grow up to 30 meters high, according to author David McMinn, who states that the rainforest plant is usually found along permanent creeks, but not swamps, and can grow fast to establish a type of rainforest canopy that protects slower-growing plants below it. The online nursery Prosperity With Nature states that Blue Quandong produces an iridescent blue fruit that is edible but sour. This fruit can be used in jams, pies or stewed in sugar to make puree. Blue Quandong is also known for its silver-white trunk, which is considered highly valuable timber.

Creek Sandpaper Fig

• Creek Sandpaper Figs, which usually grow to about three to 10 meters high, are found along rainforest creek beds, and are native to Australia. According to fruit website Fruitipedia. Creek Sandpaper Figs, or ficus coronata, are bushy trees with rough leaves, giving the plant its "sandpaper" name. The tree also produces furry figs that grow off the trunk and larger branches.

Water Gum

• Water Gum, or tristaniopsis laurina, is commonly found along rainforest creek banks. The plant can grow to a height of five to 10 meters high, but Water Gum is not a fast-growing plant. Instead, this plant species typically grows very slowly into old gnarled specimens after withstanding many floods, according to McMinn. Water Gum is good at preventing soil erosion.

Weeping Lilly Pilly

• Another common rainforest creek plant is the Weeping Lilly Pilly, or waterhousea florabunda. Like the Weeping Willow, the Weeping Lilly Pilly has hanging, sweeping branches that graze the ground. According to Daley's Fruit Tree Nursery, the Weeping Lilly Pilly has long, dark green glossy leaves that turn red before dropping. The tree also blooms with large clusters of white flowers in the summer, and can produce fruit.