Turkey bush

This pink-coloured shrub grows mainly in the sandy soils of open tropical woodlands.

You can see it scattered beside many roads and walking tracks in Kakadu.

Turkey bushes have tiny, densely packed leaves and fine-haired pink flowers, which cover the shrub during Yekke and Wurrkeng (May to August).

Culture

The turkey bush has a wide variety of traditional uses.

Bininj crush the flowers and leaves and rub them onto their skin as an insect repellent. The leaves and flowers can also be mixed with hot water to create a liniment for sore muscles.

The wood of the shrub makes excellent firewood and is also used to craft clapsticks, woomeras and prongs for spears.