Tasmanian Beekeeper Association proposes that state government changes floral emblem to leatherwood

Since 1962, the Tasmanian blue gum has been the state’s floral emblem. But an alternative plant species has been proposed to represent the state.

Flower from leatherwood tree (Eucryphia lucida).

It does not look like Tasmania’s floral emblem will change despite a push from the state’s apiarists.

The Tasmanian Beekeeper Association wants to see the state’s floral emblem changed from blue gum to leatherwood.

Tasmanian Beekeeper Association president Lindsay Bourke at Symmons Plains. PICTURE CHRIS KIDD

The organisation’s President, Lindsay Bourke, said Leatherwood Honey was unique to the state thanks to the namesake tree and cannot be produced anywhere else.

“Both Leatherwood honey and the Leatherwood plant (Eucryphia lucida) are entirely unique and synonymous with Tasmania,” Mr Bourke said.

“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 declared the state’s floral emblem in 1962.

Tasmanian blue gum on Roslyn Ave, Kingston Beach.

However, while Mr Bourke acknowledged that the subspecies of blue gum was “strongly

associated with Tasmania”, he said that it is found naturally in Victoria and is 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 per cent unique.

“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.”

Primary Industries Minister Jane Howlett said that while “Tasmania loves and appreciates the leatherwood”, she concluded that “there are no plans at this time to change our floral emblem”.