Common name: Rice Flower Family name: Thymelaeaceae Botanical name: Pimelea linifolia Flowering/fruiting season: September - November Location: 'Very common species in woodland and dry forest habitats at lower altitudes;' also two forms in high elevation. (Burbidge & Gray, 1976:260) 'Widespread especially in open and disturbed areas (e.g. along power line easements).' (Fraser & McJannett, 1993:38) Aranda bushland.

Use:

• Technology
• 1830s account of extraction of Pimelea fibres to make string for nets (Zola & Gott, 1992:33)
• Bark stripped, dried, soaked in water, beaten with sticks or stone, nets used to catch Bogong moths (Gott, 1995)

Notes:

• Bootlace Bush Pimelea axiflora yields fibre that is fine and very strong. Other Pimelea species also yield fibre;
• Poison Pimelea Pimelea pauciflora is abundant on Bullock's Track Thredbo, where tribes moved to get Bogong moths (Gott, 1995)

Language names:

• kurrajong : Dharuk, NSW - applies to fibre not plant (Gott, 1995)

Horticulture:

108 species and requirements vary.
P. linifolia most common species but not commonly grown. Propagate from cuttings; likes well-drained soil, full sun or part shade. Keep well pruned. Prostrate form good for rockeries (Wrigley & Fagg, 1998:443-444)

Similar species:
P. curvifolia

Use code:
FRT

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