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Catalogue Number: 25/305
This painting tells the story of the bush medicine flower that grows in the desert after the rain. When the dry country finally gets good rain, these small flowers begin to appear. They are a soft purple colour with a bright yellow centre, standing out against the red sand and rocky ground.
Aboriginal women from Central Australia know this plant well. They have learned from their mothers, aunties and grandmothers where it grows and when it is ready to collect. The women go out onto Country to gather the leaves, which have a special smell that helps them find the plant even when it is hidden among the rocks.
The leaves are crushed and boiled in water to make a warm bush medicine. Families use this medicine to help soothe pain, ease coughs and colds, and calm sore or irritated skin. This knowledge has been passed down through many generations and is still used today.