WATTLE OF AUSTRALIA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 29, 4 February 1939, Page 13

WATTLE OF AUSTRALIA

NOW BLOOMS IN FRANCE. (Written for the C.G.C.) The national floral emblem, of Australia, the golden wattle, is thought by many people to be the prettiest of all flowering trees. Wattle has a history of its own. It is closely related to the acacia and eucalyptus, the latter which is now being set in tropical swamps to combat malaria fever. Wattle has health-giving properties while it is growing also and for this reason was imported and grown at the Riviera, a now famous health and holiday resort in France. In season blooms make a blaze of golden colour and are sold for almost fabulous prices in the shops, a small bunch being sometimes as much as 7s 6d. Wattle was also imported from Australia to Natal in Africa and now, strangely enough, Australia imports wattle bark from Natal for tanning purposes, her own supply being near to exhaustion.

Writing about the prices sometimes paid for flowers, which are common . to us, by the people of other . countries, brings us to some interesting points . What are known as wild 11 flowers in England are garden plants I in New Zealand. Violets and prim- . roses grow wild in the woods of Engi land, while for-get-me-nots, bluebells, hare-bells and foxgloves are all wild flowers in Great Britain. On the other hand the white arum lily is sold in shops for high prices, while in New Zealand it has become wild in some places. Travellers who visit our shores are amazed to see the number and size of these lilies and to hear how little we regard them as flowers.