Did you know that Australia has its very own Christmas tree?
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It’s not a fir but a member of the mistletoe family that is a parasite with large spiky roots that slice through the roots of neighbouring trees and has been known to damage underground cables by forming constricting rings.
The Christmas tree (Nuytsia floribunda) steals moisture from any and all surrounding trees and will even attack its own roots. The murderous Australian native Christmas tree is an absolute icon of Western Australia to the point that it is known as the WA Christmas tree.
The Aussie Christmas tree is very significant to the Noongar people. Around Perth, it was considered a sacred place where the spirits of the newly dead resided.
If you want to grow your own West Australian Christmas tree, you need to sow seeds in plain sand or a sterile seed-raising mix, as bacteria and fungi in soil can rot seeds before they germinate. Make sure to sow individual seeds on the soil’s surface in pots or sow a few together in larger pots or trays. Once the seeds have sprouted, you can then plant them out. Place in a cool, shaded position, keep moist and protect against snails.
While the West Australian Christmas tree grows well in WA and is festive in name, it may not be the best choice of tree to use for a Christmas tree, decorations and putting presents underneath.
Other alternatives to the traditional Christmas fir trees include the Callitris pine, which is native to SA. It has a classic pine shape with dark green foliage and grows well in areas with low rainfall and rocky soil, making it the perfect Aussie Christmas tree.
Other options include the Norfolk Pine tree or Wollemi Pine – both perfectly acceptable for the Australian climate. In fact, you can purchase your very own Wollemi Pine here.
If none of the above options works for you, you can break all the traditional rules and use any potted plant you choose to bring inside and festively decorate.
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