Zieria smithii

Sandfly Bush

Rutaceae

Description:

Open, branching shrub 2-3m, on moist slopes and in gullies. Stems warty. Leaves opposite, trifoliolate, each leaflet to 4.5cm x 5mm, paler below, aromatic when crushed. White, 4-petalled 4mm flowers, winter to spring. The similar Zieria abscondita, with warty leaves has been discovered on rhyolite at Crossdale.

Special Features:

The leaves contain aromatic essential oils (including high levels of safrole) that release a strong, pungent scent similar to lemon and petrol when crushed. The name "Sandfly Bush" comes from the traditional use of crushing the leaves and rubbing them on the skin to repel insects.
This species is a host plant for the larvae (caterpillars) of the Orchard Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio aegeus).
Indigenous, traditional, and colonial uses include using the leaves in steam baths, medicinal smoke, and as a remedy for headache symptoms (when crushed and inhaled).
The bark can be used to produce a yellow dye.