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I know that many Americans will be familiar with the Australian red-flowering gum that I saw lining the streets of SanFrancisco in full bloom. Here it is used by an unidentified Arts and Crafts artist in the manner of an iconic Australian painter Margaret Preston (see last photo).

Pyrography or Poker Work is the method of burning designs into timber that has been a method of artistic expression for thousands of years.

Poker work was a popular art form in Australia in the period prior to World War 2. Popular designs found on Australian poker work of this period include Australian flora and fauna. Most notably these include gum leaves and blossom, waratahs, wattle and poinsettia flowers. Fauna also figured highly and included mainly koalas and kookaburras as well as other types of birds.
It appeared as a decorative form of design on a variety of household items made from wood such as vases, spoons, coat hangers, bowls, egg cups, coasters, doily covers and trays.
The quality of the work appeared to vary greatly, from that done by amateur hobbyists to professional artists.

I use this one to store away my doiley collection!