FORGET the mistletoe, Australians are being urged to pucker up for a kiss under the Aussie Christmas Bush.
Queensland Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin said Australian Christmas Bush was fast becoming a vital export crop for eastern Australia.
"Large volumes of Christmas Bush are selling in overseas markets such as Japan and North America," Mr Mulherin said.
"It is estimated to be the fastest growing wildflower export crop in eastern Australia."
He said it was a great substitute for traditional Christmas plants because of its bright red flowers and green leaves and it seasonal availability from November through to January.
Queensland scientists are working to improve the water efficiency of the Christmas Bush to speed up plant growth, improve yield and enable growers to better manage their water resources for key Australian native crops.
"The current research will enable us to better fill the international demand," Mr Mulherin said.
He said other traditional Christmas flora could be harmful to some Australian natives with holly and ivy recognised weeds in Australia.
The Christmas Bush, Ceratopetalum gummiferum, has been used as a Christmas decoration since at least the 19th century, Mr Mulherin said.
"As early as 1882, boat loads of harvested Christmas Bush were being rowed to Sydney for sale in markets, while today it is almost exclusively sourced from native flower plantations," he said.
Mr Mulherin said it would be great to see Christmas Bush regain its traditional place as the Aussie Christmas flower.
