The National tribune., 1899-08-10
AUSTRALIAN FLOWERS,
The Department Of Mines and Agriculture Stimulating
Botanical Research.

Australia has not inaptly been designa-
ted floral paradise. 1t has profusion
of beautiful native flowers, many of which
have become garden favorites. Among
these is the Waratah, the national flower
OF New South Wales. It is also known
resemblance to that flower. 1t is a mag
nificent crimson, globe-shaped blossom,
about three inches in diameter, and is
largely introduced into colonial decorative
work of every description.
The Flannel Flower is another New
South Wales favorite. 1t is so called be-
cause it appears as if cut out of white fam
mel. Although abundant in many parts of
the Colony, it is difficult of propagation.
Immense numbers are sold during the
season by street sellers and others in Sgd
ney. The Golden Waffle forms another Of
the national plants of New South Wales.
1t Is found in numerous gardens as well as
in the bush, and when the tree, which is
about the same size as the Lilac in Europe,
is in full bloom, it presents splendid APP
pearance. The bark OF the tree is used for
tanning purposes. .-s...
The Black Waffle, known to the Austria
liam aborigines as "Book-Kerriking," is a
handsome tree, ranging from 80 to so feet
in hight 1t often eXudeS gum, which
was used for food by the aborigines, and is
even now collected by children, and eagerly
eaten. 1t evidently possesses some nu-
children and others lost in the bush having
been sustained by it. Country children
sometimes soak the gum in water to make
thick jelly, having sweet flavor The
| flowers resemble those of the Golden Waffle.
The native Rose is a beautiful flower,
its name being suggested by its color the
only point of resemblance it bears to the
garden or wild rose. 1t is plentiful in the
country around Sydney, but not readily
found elsewhere. The Honey Flower,
which has not been encountered outside
New South Wales, derives its name from
the large amount of honey stored in its
tubular flowers, which cause them to be
sought by children. In former times the
| flower formed portion of the plant foods
of the aborigines.
The Native Fuschia is abundant in the
neighborhood of Sydney: 1t is one of the
most beautiful of Australian native flowers,
and was very popular in England at the
beginning OF the century, when woody
plants from Australia and the Cape were in
vogue. The Christmas Bell, something
| like dropping tulip, is SO called from its
blooming at Christmas time. 1t is found
| in the country several miles north of Sgd
| ney, and commands ready sale every
where.
The Christmas Bush is tree which fire.
quenty attains hight of 80 or 40 feet. and
| is found only in New South Wales. When
in full bloom it is mass Of small red or
| anu tiSti tLS al SliDStltutt
for holly throughout the colony at Christ
mas time.
Several of the most charming flowers
| have no aboriginal or popular names
| Among these is Goodenia ovata, which is
a handsome shrub, some ) or feet in hight,
| covered with small yelowish cup-shaped
| flowers. Another, the Boronia pinnata, is
sold in large quantities in the Sydney
streets during the Spring months. 1t is a
most delightful plant, far exceeding in
beauty the Native Rose.
Among climbing plants may be men
| toned the Wonga Wonga vine, sometimes
called supple jack" because of its tough,
struggling stems. 1t is readily propa-
gated, both from seeds and cuttings, and
was at one time to be seen in several Lon
don nurseries.
The above are only few of the myriad
native Towering plants met with in New
South Wales and the Department of Mines
and Agriculture in that colony, with view
to making its floral wealth more widely
known, and stimulating botanical re-
search, is issuing from the Government