TALKING FLOWERS
Christmas Bush: Ceratopetalum gummiferum
Ceratopetalum....from Greek ceras, a horn and petalon, a petal, referring to the petal shape of one species.
gummiferum....producing a gum.
In the home garden, I would regard this plant as a large shrub in people’s gardens rather than a small tree because it rarely grows to more the 4-5 metres.
That’s equivalent to Coastal Tee-tree.
The leaves are up to 3-7cm long and are divided into three leaflets or trifoliate, which are finely serrated and the new growth is often pink or bronze coloured.
Leaves are opposite each other.
I grew these plants as part of a trial when I was studying for my Hort Diploma at Tafe some years ago.
Testing a variety of fertilisers for growth factors.
Definitely one plant that doesn’t tolerate Phosphorus in the fertilizer.
Native fertilisers only.
I'm talking with Mercedes Sarmini of www.flowersbymercedes.com.au
