The name Bootlace Bush comes from the use of the plant’s bark as bootlaces by early settlers, and was also used as string by Aboriginals. To make a bootlace a stem is then from the plant, then with a thumbnail the bark peeled back, then pulled and stripped off the stem. The strip of bark ready for use, being flexible and strong in tension. The leaf size is the main feature which distinguishes this subspecies, Pimelia axiflora Subspecies axiflora.

Bootlace bush is found along creek banks and in damp places forests along the coast and coastal ranges, mostly south from Braidwood into Victoria and Tasmania. The plants shown here occur adjacent to Bridge 2 on the XC mountain bike track at Manna Park, at map coordinates 58 200, 19 170.

Click on either picture to download a higher resolution image (T.Hastings September 2009).