Connection

Here is an Australian native with a very ancient connection.  It is Lomandra longifolia, or Spiny-headed Mat-rush or basket grass. An evergreen tussock grass, it is used extensively in roadside plantings throughout Eastern Australia. They are also used in our residential landscaping here at the village.
The connection of this grass to early Australia is what intrigues me.  Prior to European settlement indigenous Australians ground the seeds of this plant for damper, a common scone-like bread, cooked in the coals of their camp fire, but it is the way the leaves were used that is most interesting and skilful. Women gathered the smooth strap-shaped leaves from the waters' edge to make baskets. They split each rush, tied them in bundles to be soaked, allowing the fibres to become pliable for weaving. They wove basketry traps for stream fishing and also eel traps, which are still being made today At Lake Condah in Victoria by the traditional owners. 
In many parts of Australia today our Indigenous people continue the  cultural tradition of making coiled baskets from this very useful plant. They are to be seen in all our major galleries.
So my word for Flower Friday is "connection". 
I hope this works for the theme for FF and thanks again to Anni for continuing to encourage us.