| There is a strong belief among many people, that | | | | The aroma released by some plants foliage is not |
| Australian Natives are beautiful but have no perfume. | | | | revealed until it has been disturbed, crushed or |
| A stroll through the bush will dispel that rumour easily. | | | | brushed against. These include the Backhousia |
| The fragrance of crushed leaves and scented | | | | citriodora (Lemon Myrtle) which is probably the best |
| blossoms can be almost overpowering at times. But | | | | of all native lemon scents and is also used |
| many of the natives have a more subtle fragrance; | | | | commercially as a cooking ingredient, while the foliage |
| you have to be close to them at the correct time to | | | | of B. anisata is strongly scented like aniseed; |
| appreciate the flavours and scents. | | | | Eremophilas, Eriostemon species, Prosantheras, |
| The perfume of native plants is often produced at | | | | Leptospermum petersoni (Lemon-scented Tea-tree -- |
| different times of the day or night. Perfumed native | | | | also good as a hedging plant), Darwinia citriodora (a |
| flowers include many of the Grevilleas (some like G. | | | | light lemon scent) and some Melaleucas (Paperbarks) |
| biternata and G. G. buxifolia have a strong honey-like | | | | also have scents. |
| perfume others like G. buxifolia have a light fragrant | | | | Of course you can't forget the Eucalypt family with |
| perfume), Boronias ( e.g. B. floribunda, B. serrulata and | | | | its famous eucalypt scent, which is redolent of our |
| B. megastigma), Sowerbaeas (Vanilla Lilies), | | | | bushland. But now many other countries are growing |
| Xanthoreas (Grass Trees), Banksias, Eleaocarpus | | | | vast plantations of them for timber, firewood and |
| reticulatus (Blueberry Ash) which has a strong almost | | | | revegetation programs on every continent bar |
| aniseed scent, Hakeas, Pittosporum undulatum | | | | Antartica. One species, the E. citriodora gives off a |
| (Native Daphne) -- the perfume of this species may | | | | strong lemon-come-eucalypt scent while Agonis |
| becoming overpowering in the evening --, | | | | flexuosa has a combination of eucalyptus and |
| Leptospermum species (e.g. L. flavescens), | | | | peppermint scent. |
| Homoranthus species (which has a Baked Biscuit | | | | Calomeria elegans has been used as a substitute for |
| scent) and Hymenosporum flavum (Native Frangipani). | | | | lavender. Some species of Boronias also have |
| Many of the white flowering Eucalypts, Melaleuca and | | | | strongly scented foliage. |
| Callistemon species have a strong honey scent. | | | | And let's not forget the grassy type plants, the |
| There are a number of fragrant orchids particularly | | | | lomandra's and the Grass trees, both of which give a |
| the Dendrobium species: these tend to be strongest | | | | lovely honeyed smell when in flower. |
| from early morning to the early afternoon. While | | | | So why not think about using some fragrant native |
| some of the Cymbidium species such as C. suave | | | | plants in your garden. Not only will you get the |
| have a good perfume during the middle of the day). | | | | benefit of supporting your local environment. But you |
| The Sarcochilus species have what is best described | | | | might also get other benefits, like attracting birds, |
| as a spicy aroma. | | | | other wildlife and butterflies to your garden. |