Arid parts of outback Queensland are abloom with unique flora "surprises" that an expert says could lead to a wealth of new knowledge about plant and animal life.
From delicate fringe lilies to small trees, 10 species have been discovered in the state's south-west for the first time.
"You might think they are little, tiny things that no-one had really noticed before, but some are shrubs and even small trees," University of Queensland researcher Dr Jen Silcock said.
And while Western Australia's Kimberley still holds the title as Australia's last great botanical frontier, Dr Silcock — who has been studying plants in south-west Queensland for more than 20 years — said researchers were excited by the region's potential for unique flora.
"We are still finding surprises and it's not just new species … though that's pretty exciting," Dr Silcock said.
"It's species that we wouldn't expect to see in these dry areas and finding out new things about species — whether that's how they were used by Aboriginal people or about when they flower or what insects pollinate them."
Bullwaddies are just one example, Dr Silcock said.
They are common plants in parts of northern Australia and had never been recorded in south-west Queensland.
The plants form impenetrable thickets which can become almost jungle-like, and impassible for wildlife, man and stock.
"I looked over the edge of the gorge and realised it was something exciting as I'd never seen it before," Dr Silcock said.
"It's almost like a missing link between the population to the east in Queensland and the Northern Territory populations."
Discovered on private property near Stonehenge, Dr Silcock said it was very likely a new species.
With flower specimens collected, she said its fruit was still needed for it to be officially identified.
An oasis in a harsh-looking land
All the new species have one common denominator: the Grey Range and the ranges that radiate off it, which Dr Silcock described as a "real oasis for plant and animal life".
"It looks harsh and stony, but when you get up in there, there's little hidden gorges, springs, rock holes and in places quite big shady trees," she said.
"I feel like right through western Queensland and more broadly inland Australia, if you get out of the car and go for a walk, you never know what you might find and that's pretty exciting.
"These areas are not explored often, and the plants don't flower regularly, so you may not notice them unless they have some flowers or fruits on them."
Recently a new particularly beautiful fringe lily was found on Mariala National Park and neighbouring grazing property.
Queensland Herbarium botanists discovered the plant, which is quite different from any other members of its genus. Its new scientific name, Thysanotus admirabilis, was published in a paper late last year.
A new Eremophila was found in low stony hills west of Eromanga in a region known more for its dinosaur fossils and opals than plants.
Eromanga was once a part of the Great Inland Sea and sits in the western reaches of the Quilpie Shire.
While not yet officially described, experts believe this tall shrub with its striking red flowers is confined to an area of only about 30 square kilometres and is extremely rare.
'Still finding new ones'
Grazier Wendy Sheehan has become obsessed with the plants that grow on her family property, Trinidad, which borders Hell Hole National Park north-west of Quilpie.
The vast sheep and cattle station, covering more than 1 million hectares has various vegetation and land types, including the Grey and Cheviot ranges.
"I photograph the plants because I would like to have a pictorial representation of all the plants on Trinidad, and I'm still finding new ones," Ms Sheehan said.
"It's not that they are new; they have been there all the time.
"It's just the first time someone has been in the area they are living.
"I get excited every time something new is found, and who knows what else is out there."
