Yesterday was perfect for being out in the yard. After the rain, the soil was moist and the day time temperatures are still quite pleasant for working outside. A native plant that is tough as old boots, drought tolerant , pest free and has a nice shape and form is
Lomandra longifolia (or
spiny head mat rush or
basket grass). We have several mature clumps and with plenty of seedlings available I have dug lots out and replanted them in amongst the trees down the front.
They are an excellent fill in plant and tolerate shade from the trees.
We don't use this plant at all, but the Aborigines used it for making baskets as the leaves are quite fibrous. Cribb (ref below) reports that was used in North Queensland for " tying up sores and abscesses on the arms and legs". It certainly can be used as a crude form of rope or twine in the garden.
The clumps of this plant can be quite sizable - this one is about 1.8m high and a similar diameter.
The Bauhinia purpurea is probably at it's best at present.
ref: Cribb A.B and J.W 1981
Wild Medicine in Australia Fontana Collins
(pg 205)
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