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Overview

Australia’s native edible flora is an important component of “bush food”. Many species are gaining greater visibility with the public, thanks to Indigenous bush cooking initiatives, commercial bush food enterprises and the increasing use of these ingredients by high-profile chefs.

Featured in this stamp issue are three species from the citrus family (Rutaceae): two from the genus Citrus and one from the genus Acronychia. Species in the citrus (or “Rue”) family are often small to medium-sized shrubs (though also trees), usually with aromatic leaves that contain oil glands – the aroma and oils of which are released more intensely when the leaves are crushed. The flowers have four to five petals and are usually white, purple, pink or red in colour, and the fruit releases seed very quickly when it’s ripe. Worldwide there are around 1,800 species in this family, found in both tropical and temperate climates, especially in Africa and Australia. In Australia, there are around 320 species, which are found in all states. A large number of Rutaceae species are food plants.

The stamp illustrations, by Anita Xhafer, have a botanical feel. They include a close-up perspective of each fruit, both whole and sliced, together with a fruit tree in bloom. The minisheet features a scene of the fruits featured on the stamp, as well as the Australian Round Lime (Citrus australis), also known as Dooja. 

Technical specifications

Issue date13-August-2019
Issue withdrawal date29-February-2020
Denomination3 x $1
Stamp, minisheet illustrationAnita Xhafer
Product designJo Mure, Australia Post Design Studio
PaperTullis Russell
Paper: rollRaf Unik
PrinterEGO
Printer: rollsMulti-Color Corp.
Printing processOffset lithography
Stamp size (mm)37.5 x 26
Minisheet size (mm)170 x 80
Perforations13.86 x 14.6
Sheet layoutModule of 50
FDI postmarkOrange, NSW 2800
FDI withdrawal date
11-September-2019

Stamps in this issue

Desert Lime (Citrus glauca)

Desert Lime (Citrus glauca) produces a small fruit with a very tart flavour. It can be used in place of regular limes or lemons, with the main differences being its small size and thinner peel. In fact, the Desert Lime requires no peeling and can be frozen without losing any flavour upon being thawed.
Native to arid and semi-arid zones of South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland, the Desert Lime plant has adapted to its harsh desert environment, possessing sharp thorns that protect it from grazing animals.
The fruit is yellowish when ripe but is often picked while still green. Desert Lime is used to make cordials, sauces, garnishes marmalades, pickles and chutneys. 

$1

Finger Lime (Citrus australasica)

Australian Finger Lime (Citrus australasica) is a thorny shrub that occurs in the wild in south-eastern Queensland and northern New South Wales. Its cylindrical fruit is around 10 centimetres long and shaped, as its name suggests, like a finger.
The flesh comprises little caviar-shaped pearls. While fruits in the majority of wild plants have yellowish-green flesh, the stamp features a plant with naturally occurring pink-fleshed fruits. The fruit pulp is often used as a garnish, but Finger Lime can also be used in dressings, jams and sauces, cordials and even cocktails.

$1

Lemon Aspen (Acronychia acidula)

Lemon Aspen (Acronychia acidula) is a small to medium-sized rainforest tree, foundnaturally in coastal areas from central to northern Queensland. Its very small pale-yellow fruit (of around 1.5 to 2.5 centimetres in diameter) is referred toas “rainforest lemon”.
The flesh of the fruit is spongy and the core usually contains small black seeds. It has an extremely strong citrus aroma and is tart, much like grapefruit, and should be picked slightly under-ripe. Lemon Aspen puree can be used in dressings, marinades, cordials and desserts.

$1

Shop our Stamp Collectables

  • Set of Bush Citrus stamps

    This set of stamps contains all three gummed stamps from the Bush Citrus stamp issue.

  • Bush Citrus stamp pack

    The Bush Citrus stamp pack contains all three stamps and minisheet from the stamp issue presented in high quality folder.

  • Bush Citrus minisheet

    The Bush Citrus minisheet consists of the three stamps from the issue incorporated into a miniature stamp sheet.

  • Set of Bush Citrus maxicards

    This maxicard set contains the three maxicards from the Bush Citrus stamp issue.

Additional collectables:

  • Strip of three self-adhesive Bush Citrus stamps

  • Pictorial envelope for the Bush Citrus stamp issue

  • Gutter strip 10 x $1 Desert Lime stamps

  • Gutter strip 10 x $1 Finger Lime stamps

  • Gutter strip 10 x $1 Lemon Aspen stamps

  • Roll of 100 Bush Citrus self-adhesive stamps

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  • First day Bush Citrus gummed stamps cover

  • First day Bush Citrus self-adhesive stamps cover

  • First day Bush Citrus minisheet cover

This content was produced at the time of the stamp issue release date and will not be updated.

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