Habitat: Heaths; mountain forests Season: Flowers in spring and summer
We know the bark of the Riceflower as 'Bushman's Bootlace', but here's how
to make string:
Strip the bark, dry it, place in a stream for about one week, dry in sun,
soften by chewing/beating with sticks and stones, roll on the thigh and
spin into fine, strong thread.
During summer, people came to the high country to feast on thousands of
Bogong moths. They caught them in strong, delicate string nets made from
Pimelea bark. Riceflower
Very fine net of string made from the bark of the Riceflower - used
to catch Bogong Moths.
'They had very fine meshes and were manufactured with great care, and being
attached to a couple of poles they could be readily folded up when they
had to be withdrawn from the crevices.' Helms 1895:594.
Australian National Botanic Gardens - Education Service
Riceflower
