The beauty of Australia’s native flowers will be a key focus for Queensland’s Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry, Jan Jarratt, when she visits the UQ Gatton Campus on Friday, January 30.
As part of her visit to campus, Ms Jarratt will view novel ornamental plant products developed from Queensland’s native flora.
Developed through collaborative work between Aussie Colours P/L, the Faculty of Natural Resources Agriculture and Veterinary Science (NRAVS) and the Centre for Native Floriculture (CNF), these ornamentals are among Queensland’s most unique flowering plants.
Ms Jarratt will meet with the Executive Dean of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science, Professor Roger Swift; Director of the CNF, Professor Daryl Joyce; Director of Aussie Colours, Brian Ruddle, and a number of staff and student researchers directly involved in developing new native ornamental plant products.
Professor Joyce will highlight the Centre’s capacity as the platform on which innovative native floriculture products are developed.
Ms Jarratt will tour the University’s Plant Nursery Unit, home to modern propagation facilities and a range of covered and open growing-on areas.
In particular, Ms Jarratt will inspect a new state-of-the-art, climate-controlled Research Greenhouse during her visit.
“We are looking forward to showcasing the great developments and activities that the Centre for Native Floriculture and Aussie Colours, have achieved together,” Professor Joyce said.
The CNF was established as a collaboration between The University of Queensland and the Queensland Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry.
The Aussie Colours company was set up to commercialise new products developed through the CNF as well as other Australian organisations and individuals.
Ptilotus nobilis “Outback Princess” is the initial plant line in a broad range of attractive native plants researchers are developing.
Since Aussie Colours was launched in September 2007 and along with the release of “Outback Princess”, more than 60,000 drought-hardy “Passion”, “Poise” and “Purity” cultivars have been sold.
Media: Carissa Dennis, UQ Gatton Campus (5460 1279, 0488 780 229).
