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Catalogue Number: 25/363
This painting shows the native bush flowers that grow wild across Central Australia. These plants come to life in winter and early spring, especially after good rain. Their colours are small but bright against the desert landscape.
The bush medicine plant has tiny yellow flowers, and the bush tomato plant has soft pale pink and purple flowers. When the season is right, these plants may produce bush tucker that local people collect for food, or bush medicine that women gather and prepare for healing.
The green leaves from the bush medicine plant are carefully harvested, while the seeds fall to the ground or are carried away by the wind. Over time, new plants grow in their place. This cycle of flowering, fruiting, and renewal is an important part of life on Country. Knowledge about these plants is passed down through generations.