The Tasmanian Beekeepers Association today asked the Tasmanian government to consider changing the state's floral emblem from the Tasmanian Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus) to Leatherwood (Eucryphia lucida).
Tasmanian Beekeepers Association president Lindsay Bourke says Leatherwood Honey is entirely unique and, thanks to the Leatherwood tree (Eucryphia lucida), cannot be produced anywhere else in the world.
"Both Leatherwood honey and the Leatherwood plant (Eucryphia lucida) are entirely unique and synonymous with Tasmania. In fact, Eucryphia lucida grows only on the west coast and in the Tasmanian World Heritage Area.
"Leatherwood Honey is the world's greatest, it's only produced in Tasmania and is literally the Taste of The Tasmanian World Heritage Area.
"Tasmanian Blue Gum was proclaimed the floral emblem in 1962, and while it's strongly associated with Tasmania, it is found naturally in Victoria and has been widely planted in New Zealand, South Africa, South America, California, India, and Mediterranean countries.
"Eucryphia lucida, on the other hand, only occurs in Tasmania and produces honey that simply cannot be copied or produced elsewhere; it's 100% unique," Mr. Bourke said.
Mr. Bourke says Eucryphia lucida was initially promoted by the Tasmanian Branch of the Society for Growing Australian Plants as an alternative to the Tasmanian Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus) for Tasmania's floral emblem. Now is the time for Eucryphia lucida to replace it.
Mr. Bourke added that Pluto was demoted from a planet to a Kuiper belt object in 2006, and it's now time to consider demoting Eucalyptus globulus and promoting Eucryphia lucida to the status of Tasmanian floral emblem.
"Tasmanians love our fine food and natural produce, and making Eucryphia lucida our floral emblem recognises the fact that Leatherwood Honey is the world's finest," Mr. Bourke concluded.
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Photos and video of Eucryphia lucida are in the folder link below.
