Sturts Desert Rose
(Gossypium sturtianum)Plant Family: Malvaceae
The Sturts Desert Rose is the Northern Territory Floral Emblem.
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GNU Free Documentation License
The genus (category) Gossypium also includes cotton.
The Desert Rose has been known as the Darling River Rose, Cotton Rosebush and Australian Cotton.
Found in the Northern Territory and all mainland states of Australia, except Victoria.
The Rose is a woody compact shrub about a metre in height, the leaves are dark green.
The petals are about 5 cm long and can range from pale pink to dark purple and have a dark red centre. There is a small cotton spore in the centre of the flower
Flowering time is not exactly seasonal but peaks around late wintertime.
The Rose was first collected by Captain Charles Sturt during his trip to central Australia in 1844 to 1845.
The Sturts Desert Rose was officially proclaimed the Northern Territory Floral Emblem in 1961
They are not believed to be at risk in the wild.
Go to next flora page: Red and Green Kangaroo Paw
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"The Legend of Bimi"
Introduction
There's a tale that begins in the sand hills
That I would like to tell,
Built from myth and many legends,
And my pen it does compel.
The desert's a hot, a hostile place,
Nothing's changed since time began,
There's a hazy unreality there
As if it, in the dreamtime was planned.
The noon of the day is so hot and still,
And over all an expectant hush,
Like a canvas that's waiting impatiently
For the touch of the artists brush.
The fire of the day can change swifly
To the night of startlingly cold,
Many legends are told of the people
Who live in this land so old.
To continue to read the introduction to this wonderful piece of poetry our Mother wrote called
"The Legend of Bimi" just go to our
Epic Poetry page
We know you will love it!