Bushfood Catalogue
|
Botanical |
Common Name/Koori Name | Uses & Cultural Notes |
Edible Part |
| Acacia implexa | Lightwood | Bark used to make coarse string and a medicine for rheumatism. Edible seed. Open, dry, well-drained position, full sun. Tree 4 - 5m. | Seed |
| Acacia mearnsii | Black Wattle GARRONG (Wurundjeri) |
Edible gum and seed. Bark tea is used for indigestion. Open, dry, well-drained position, full sun. Tree to 15m. | Seed Gum |
| Acacia melanoxylon | Blackwood BURN-NA-LOOK (Wurundjeri) |
Bark is used to alleviate rheumatism. Edible seed. Leaves pounded and used as fish poison. Partially protected position, semi-shade. Moist, well-drained soil. Tree 5-18m. | Seed Gum |
| Acacia pycnantha | Golden Wattle KARRANK (Gundit Jmara) |
Edible gum and seed. Gum also used as an adhesive. Open, dry, well-drained position. Full sun. Small tree 3-8m. Fast growing. | Seed Gum |
| Acacia retinodes | Swamp Wattle WIRILDA | Pods are edible when green. Edible seed. Moist position, full sun to semi-shade. Shrub 3-6m. | Seed |
| Acmena smithii | Lilly Pilly | Fruit eaten raw or made into jam. Open moist position. Full sun to semi-shade. Shrub 3-4m. | Fruit |
| Apium prostratum | Sea Celery | Edible leaves and stems. Excellent in soup. Perennial for a moist, sunny position. 30cm. | Leaf Stem |
| Araucaria bidwillii | Bunya Nut | Much sought after seeds eaten raw, baked or boiled. Magnificent tree can reach 15 metres and beyond in cultivation. Very tough. Sun. | Seed |
| Arthropodium milleflorum | Pale Vanilla Lily | Tubers crisp, white and bittersweet. Edible raw or roasted. Herbaceous perennial to 30cm, dormant in summer. Moist, well-drained, semi-shaded position. | Tuber |
| Arthropodium minus | Small Vanilla Lily | Edible tubers eaten raw or roasted. Herbaceous perennial to 30cm, dormant in summer. Moist, protected, semi-shaded position. Well-drained. | Tuber |
| Arthropodium strictum | Chocolate Lily | Delectable chocolate scented flowers. Edible tubers eaten raw or roasted. Herbaceous perennial to 30cm, dormant in summer. Open, moist, well-drained position. Full sun. | Tuber |
| Astroloma humifusum | Cranberry Heath BAGUD (Wergaia) |
Sweet edible fruit. Dense spreading mat forming plant 50cm x 1m. Open, dry, well-drained position. Full sun. | Fruit |
| Atriplex semibaccata | Berry Saltbush | Leaves edible after boiling to remove excess salt. Spreading perennial 30cm x 1m. Open, dry, well-drained position. Full sun. | Leaf |
| Austromyrtus dulcis | Midyim Berry | A beautiful edible fruit with a soft, sweet, slightly aromatic pulp that melts in the mouth. Shrub to 1.5m, spreading habit. Sun to part shade. Moist. | Fruit |
| Backhousia anisatum | Aniseed Myrtle | Strong aniseed-scented leaf. Graceful tree 3-8 m. Moist, semi-shaded position. | Leaf |
| Backhousia citriodora | Lemon Myrtle | Essential oil from the leaves provides an exquisite lemon scent. Used to make a very fine tea. Leaves flavour fish dishes beautifully. Small tree 3-8m. | Leaf |
| Backhousia myrtifolia | Grey Myrtle | Cinnamon scented leaves. Useful in teas and flavouring sweet dishes. Small hardy tree 3-7m. Moist, semi-shaded position. | Leaf |
| Billardiera cymosa | Sweet Appleberry | Sweet fruit eaten when soft. Delicate climber for a protected, dry, well-drained position. Sun to part shade. | Fruit |
| Billardiera scandens | Common Appleberry GARAWANG | Edible fruit is ripe when soft. Hardy climber for a protected, dry, well-drained position. Sun to part shade. | Fruit |
| Bolboschoenus medianus | Marsh Club-rush WOORPERT (Lake Boga) |
Edible crisp, sweet, young, fibrous tuber. Raw or roasted. Reed plant up to 2 metres for shallow, fresh, brackish water, full sun. Suitable for ponds. | Tuber |
| Brachychiton acerifolium | Illawarra Flame | Nutty flavoured edible seed. Large tree to 10m. Moist, well-drained position. Frost tender when young. Sun to part shade. | Seed |
| Brachychiton populneus | Kurrajong | Nutritious edible seed, eaten raw or roasted. Handsome upright growing tree to 10m. Moist, well-drained position. Sun to part shade. | Seed |
| Bulbine bulbosa | Bulbine Lily PARM (Gunditjmara) |
Bulb high in calcium and iron. Eaten roasted. Herbaceous perennial, dormant in summer. Protected, moist, well-drained position. Semi- shade. | Bulb |
| Burchardia umbellata | Milk Maids POPOTO (Lake Condah) |
Tasty tuber eaten raw or roasted. Crisp and starchy. Herbaceous perennial, dormant in summer. Open, well-drained position. Full sun. | Tuber |
| Carprobrotus modestus | Inland Noonflower KEENG-A (Bunganditj) |
Succulent edible fruit. Edible leaves, although salty. Hardy ground cover. Open, dry, well drained position. Full sun. | Fruit Leaf |
| Carprobrotus rossii | Coastal Pigface CUTWORT (Gippsland) |
Sweet edible glutinous fruit in summer. Hardy ground cover for an open, dry, well-drained position. Full sun. | Fruit |
| Clematis aristata | Old Man’s Beard | Edible taproot. Vigorous climber for a well-drained position. Sun to semi-shade. | Taproot |
| Clematis microphylla | Small-leafed Clematis TAARUK (Gunditjmara) |
The taproot is eaten roasted. Root fibres used to make string. Prolific climber for an open, dry, well-drained position. Semi-shade. | Taproot |
| Convolvulus erubescens | Pink Bindweed TAROOK (Gunditjmara) |
The taproot is eaten roasted. Winter vegetable. Fast growing, trailing or climbing perennial. Open, dry, well-drained position. Full sun. | Taproot |
| Coprosma quadrifida | Prickly Currant Bush | Edible sweet, slightly astringent fruit. Can be cooked. Hardy shrub to 2m. Protected, moist position. Semi-shade. Best planted in a group. | Fruit |
| Correa alba | White Correa Cape Barren Tea | Leaves used to make tea. Also used in food smoking preparations. Hardy shrub up to 2m. Well-drained sunny position. | Leaf |
| Dianella longifolia | Pale Flax Lily | Edible berries when ripe. Tufted perennial for a protected, moist, well-drained position. Sun to part shade. | Fruit |
| Dianella revoluta | Black-anther Flax Lily MURMBAL (Lake Hindmarsh) |
Edible berries when ripe. Leaf fibre used to make cord and baskets. Tufted perennial for a protected, moist, well-drained position. Sun to part shade. | Fruit |
| Dodonaea viscosa | Wedge-Leaf Hop Bush | Seeds used as a hops substitute for brewing beer. Leaves can be chewed to soothe toothache. Hardy shrub. Open, dry, well drained position. Sun. 1-3m. | Seed |
| Einadia hastata | Saloop Berry Saltbush | Leaves edible after boiling to remove excess salt. Hardy trailing perennial shrub. Dry, well-drained position. Full sun. 30cm x 50cm. | Leaf |
| Einadia natans ssp. nutans | Nodding Saltbush | Sweet edible fruit. Edible leaves after boiling to remove salt. Low shrub or groundcover. Open, warm, dry, well-drained position. Full sun. 60cm. | Fruit Leaf |
| Enchylaena tomentosa | Ruby Saltbush | Edible berries, sweet though slightly salty. Edible leaf. Open, dry, well-rained position. Full sun. Prostrate shrub to 1m wide. | Fruit Leaf |
| Eucalyptus gunnii | Cider Gum | The sap is reputed to be an excellent substitute for maple syrup. Tree up to 25m. Requires moist soil. Sun. | Sap |
| Eupomatia laurina | Native Guava | Aborigines ate the sticky sweet pulp coating the seeds. Hardy evergreen shrub to 3m for a moist, semi-shaded position. Brilliant foliage colour.
|
Fruit |
| Geranium solanderi | Austral Crane’s Bill TERRAT (Coranderrk) |
The taproot is eaten after roasting. Prostrate perennial for an open, moist, well-drained position. Full sun. 50cm. | Tuber |
| Hardenbergia violacea | Purple Coral Pea (False Sarsaparilla) | Flowers used to make a dye. Boiled leaves make a slightly sweet tea. Hardy, vigorous climber. Open, dry, well-drained position. Full sun. | Leaf |
| Hedycarya angustifolia | Austral Mulberry DJELWUCK (Wurundjeri) |
Straight stems used to make fire sticks. Shrub or small tree from 3 to 6 metres. Protected, moist, well-drained position. Semi-shade. | |
| Hibiscus heterophyllus | Native Rosella Native Hibiscus | The acid buds of the flower are used to make delicious rosella jam. Spectacular shrub to 3m. Moist, well-drained position. Sun to part shade. Frost sensitive. | Flower buds |
| Indigofera australis | Austral Indigo | Leaves and roots were pounded and used as fish poison. Hardy shrub up to 2m. Protected, dry, well-drained position. Semi-shade. | |
| Kennedia prostrata | Running Postman KABIN (Coranderrk) |
Flowers sucked to extract sweet nectar. Stems used as twine. Hardy spreading ground cover. Dry, well-drained position. Semi-shade. | Flower |
| Kunzea pomifera | Muntries NGURP (Bunganditj) |
Delicious edible berries. Staple food for some Aborigines. Makes excellent jams and tarts. Can be pounded, dried and stored. Woody creeper for a well-drained, sunny position. | Fruit |
| Leptospermum petersonii | Lemon scented Tea- Tree | Fragrant leaves are used to make tea. Highly valued for its essential oil content. Hardy shrub to 3m. Moist, well-drained position. Sun to part shade. | Leaf |
| Mentha australis | River Mint | Medicinal plant. Leaves used for coughs, colds and stomach cramp. Insect repellent. Perennial for a moist, protected position. Semi-shade. | Leaf |
| Microseris lanceolata | Yam Daisy MURNONG (Wurundjeri) |
Edible tubers, raw or roasted. An important staple food for south-eastern Aboriginal people. Herbaceous perennial, dormant in summer. Open, moist, well-drained position. Full sun. | Tuber |
| Myoporum viscosum | Sticky Boobialla | Edible fruit. Attractive shrub 1-3m. Open, dry position, well-drained soil. Full sun. | Fruit |
| Planchonella australis | Black Apple Black Plum | Fruit eaten fresh or preserved. Large tree up to 15m in cultivation. Moist, semi-shaded position. | Fruit |
| Prostanthera cuneata | Alpine Mint Bush | Strong minty aroma. Leaves used to flavour jams and jellies. Compact shrub to 1m. Sun, part shade. | Leaf |
| Prostanthera incisa | Cut-Leaf Mint Bush | Fresh scented leaves used to flavour jams and jellies. Shrub to 1m. Full sun to part shade. | Leaf |
| Prostanthera ovalifolia | Oval-Leaf Mint Bush | Minty flavoured leaves used in jams and jellies. Hardy shrub to 2m. Moist position. Sun to part shade. | Leaf |
| Prostranthera rotundifolia | Round-Leaf Mint Bush | Scented foliage used to flavour jams, jellies and biscuits. Hardy shrub to 2m. Moist position. Sun to part shade. | Leaf |
| Rubus parvifolius | Native Raspberry EEPAEEP (Coranderrk) |
Edible sweet berry. An astringent medicinal tea made from the leaves is used to treat diarrhoea. Perennial scrambling ground cover to 1m. Moist, well-drained position. Full sun. | Fruit Leaf |
| Sambucus gaudichaudiana | White Elderberry BURNE-BURNE (Lake Condah) |
Edible fleshy sweet, sometimes sour fruit. Herbaceous perennial to 90 cm. Dormant in winter. Moist, semi-shaded position. | Fruit |
| Santalum acuminatum | Quandong GUDI GUDI (Madi Madi) |
Edible seed and delightfully tart fruit, rich in vitamin C. Large shrub or small tree to 5m. Requires a host plant such as Myoporum. Open, dry, well-drained position. Full sun. | Fruit Seed |
| Solanum aviculare | Kangaroo Apple | Edible fruit when ripe, poisonous when green. Fast growing, spreading shrub to 4m. Protected, moist, well-drained position. Semi-shade. | Fruit |
| Solanum laciniatum | Large Kangaroo Apple MOOKITCH (Lake Condah) |
Edible fruit when ripe, poisonous when green. Hardy spreading shrub to 3m. Sheltered, moist, well-drained position. Semi-shade. | Fruit |
| Botanical Name | Common Name & Koorie Name | Uses & Cultural Notes | Edible Part |
| Syzygium luehmannii | Magenta Cherry | Fruit can be eaten raw or made into jam. Tree 5 to 10m. Open moist position. Full sun to part shade. | Fruit |
| Tasmannia lanceolata | Mountain Pepper | Sensational hot, spicy, edible leaf and berry. Use fresh or dried in savoury dishes. Shrub to 3m. Moist, well-drained position. Semi-shade. | Leaf Fruit |
| Tetragonia tetragonoides | Warrigal Greens | Edible leaf, raw or cooked. Vigorous groundcover for a moist, well-drained position. Sun to part shade. | Leaf |
| Trachymene anisocarpa | Wild Parsnip | Edible tap root. Leafy annual or biennial, spectacular flowers up to 1m. Grows readily from seed. Moist sandy soil. Sun to part shade. | Root |
| Triglochin procera | Water Ribbons POL-AN-GO (Wathaurong) |
Edible sweet crisp tuber, eaten raw or roasted. Strap-like foliage grows in water 60cm deep. Full sun to part shade. | Tuber |
| Viola hederacea | Native Violet | Sweet edible flower used fresh in salads. Creeping groundcover for a moist position in semi-shade. | Flower |
| Wahlenbergia communis | Tufted Bluebell | Edible flowers. Small perennial up to 30cm. Open, dry, well-drained position. Full sun. | Flower |
| Wahlenbergia multicaulis | Tadgell’s Bluebell | Edible flowers. Small perennial up to 30cm. Dry well-drained position. Semi-shade. | Flower |
| Wahlenbergia stricta | Tall Bluebell | Edible flowers. Perennial up to 30 cm. Open, dry, well-drained position. Full sun. | Flower |
| Xanthorrhoea minor | Small Grass Tree BAGGUP (Wurundjeri) | Edible leaf and root when young. Flowers provide nectar. Flower stems used as light spears. Open, dry, well-drained position. Full sun. | Leaf Root |