Christmas Bush Plant

Ceratopetalum gummiferum the new south wales christmas bush is a tall shrub or small tree popular in cultivation due to its sepals that turn bright red pink at around christmas time.

Christmas bush plant. Description of the plant. Soil type the nsw christmas bush is pretty adaptable as long as it is reasonably well drained. Christmas bush may refer to. The petals are actually small and white it is the sepals that enlarge to about 12mm after the flower sets fruit and starts to dry out.

The leaves contain the coumarin aesculin this is used in the treatment of lupus by irradiation and as a screen from ultra violet light in suntan lotions. Chromolaena odorata a tropical species of shrub from the sunflower family. Ceratopetalum gummiferum a tall shrub from australia also known as the new south wales christmas bush. Pittosporaceae medicinal use of christmas bush.

Position for best colouring they need to be planted in a sunny position. Tasmanian christmas bush is one name for bursaria spinosa a shrub related to pittosporum and often ignored in its wild state throughout temperate australia. Christmas bush latin name. Like bougainvillea and poinsettia the petals of the nsw christmas bush ceratopetalum gummiferum aren t the brightest and most beautiful part of this plant instead the vibrancy comes from the sepals that enlarge after flowering and become bright and bold in colour.

Bursaria spinosa a small tree or shrub that occurs in all australian states. Together with pretty shiny soft foliage it s no wonder this plant is a florist favourite during the festive season. Traditions behind christmas plants and bushes. In a garden it can be valuable for its scented cream flower sprays and seed.

O tannenbaum indeed christmas trees are the most iconic christmas plant and you can get them cut or potted whether you re cutting down your own evergreen or selecting a pre cut spruce pine or fir you ll want to check for insects and pests as well as any damage such as broken branches test the freshness of a pre cut tree by pulling on a branch. New south wales christmas bush is ceratopetalum gummiferum a popular plant described elsewhere in these pages. In early summer this shapely native shrub s small creamy white flowers give way to showy red or pink bracts. The pleasantly sour fruit can be eaten either fresh or made into jams sauces and jellies.

The colder the climate the later they will colour up. One plant that s always perfectly dressed to celebrate an aussie christmas is the new south wales christmas bush. David beaulieu is a garden writer with nearly 20 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years experience working in nurseries.