The Golden Wattles are in flower now and such a beautiful treat they are on the eye.
Against the back drop of the Australian Native Bush the wattles come alive in their vibrant Golden Yellow. Their colours giving a ray of extra sunshine to any garden or in a natural setting they present a vista of gold amongst the different hues of green.
The Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) is now the official floral emblem of Australia, wattle blossoms are to be found on the Australian Coat of Arms, and the Order of Australia is in the shape of a single wattle blossom.
The photo of the Australian coat of arms is courtesy of the site
A quote from the site above about why they chose this particular flower says:
"Australians may have made a home for themselves amongst the gumtrees, but it is the wattle tree that has found its way into Australian symbolism. Most Australians can recognise a wattle, at least when it is in flower. In the years leading up to Federation in 1901, the Australian Natives Association (ANA) began a campaign to find a national flower as an emblem for Australia like the rose for the English, the thistle for the Scots, leeks for the Welsh and the shamrock for the Irish. The Canadians had just recently chosen their maple. The wattle was the choice, the ANA committee said, as it was not excluded from any part of Australia, had bright beauty and was useful in tanning hides! The wattle was being called upon to represent an egalitarian, classless Australia of golden prosperity. Wow!"
An interesting choice and now you know why it was chosen.
A very pretty species and I am including some more photos from my
"wattle happy snaps collection"
Enjoy!
Wattles in the Bush.
Wattle Views.
Wattle and Hardenbergia.
