Plant identification guides:
Bush tucker food forest
Information about medicinal qualities of plants, or about their use as medicines, is for interest only, and is not intended to be used as a guide for the treatment of medical conditions.
As with all medicinal applications of Australian bush foods, please do your due diligence and consult with First Nations or other Australian herbal specialists before utilising as a remedy for any condition.
Some parts of the plant may not be edible or some may need preparation before they are safe to eat or use in any way. We do our best to describe their traditional & modern uses. It is the reader’s responsibility to ensure they are fit for their intended use.
We can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Basic info:
For more information, please see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syzygium_oleosum
Uses and Interesting Information:
A beautiful edible-fruited rainforest tree whose vivid blue berries were enjoyed fresh by Indigenous Australians and loved by children for the way they coloured the mouth. Flowers provided a sweet-infused drink, and the tree’s presence signalled water and healthy rainforest edges. Today it is prized for bush-tucker gardens, wildlife support, and its striking ornamental appeal.
Indigenous Uses
1. Edible fruit – eaten fresh, soft and fully coloured
The vibrant blue-purple fruit was eaten fresh when softened and aromatic.
Flavour is mildly sweet with a subtle spice — some describe it as berry-meets-herb.
It was considered a snack fruit, commonly eaten while travelling or foraging.
2. Cooked for deeper flavour
Some groups gently warmed the fruit in warm ashes or on hot stones.
The heat:
Softened the skin
Released aromatic oils
Deepened the sweetness
3. Flowers as a light flavouring
The fluffy white flowers were sometimes soaked in water to create a lightly sweet, fragrant drink.
This was similar to the practice with other Syzygium species.
4. Medicinal uses
Crushed leaves were sometimes used as a cleansing wash.
Fruit pulp occasionally used as a hydrating bush remedy during long travel.
5. Wood for small tools
Like many lilly pillies, the wood is:
Fine-grained
Hard
Slightly oily
Used for:
Small tools
Pegs
Carved items
Stories, Culture & Interesting Lore
1. “The berries that colour the mouth blue”
A favourite among children who enjoyed showing off their stained lips and tongues.
Some Elders recall that kids used it as a natural ‘face paint’ when playing.
2. Indicator of healthy rainforest edge
Its presence signified:
Moist, fertile soil
Seasonal rains
A good foraging area
The tree was often found along freshwater corridors, making it a guide to water sources.
3. The bird-calling tree
As the fruit ripens, it attracts:
Fruit doves
Honeyeaters
Currawongs
Many communities used the ripening of the fruit as a seasonal marker for bird movements and breeding cycles.
4. The “rain tree signal”
Some custodians note that Syzygium species often flower before heavy rain, especially in coastal areas.
The sight of the fluffy white blooms was seen as a sign to prepare camps for the wet season.
Modern Uses
1. Culinary
The fruit is excellent in:
Jams
Chutneys
Syrups
Fermented drinks
Fruit leather
Baking (muffins, pastries, desserts)
Chefs love its:
Colour
Subtle herbaceous flavour
Ability to pair with citrus, ginger, and native spices
2. Ornamental landscaping
One of the most popular native shrubs/trees for:
Gardens
Wildlife corridors
Edible landscape projects
Street planting
Bush-tucker gardens
Why?
Attractive purple/blue fruit
Glossy green foliage
Hardy and adaptable
Dense canopy for habitat
3. Pollinator support
Flowers attract bees, native bees, hoverflies, and butterflies.
Fruits support birds and small mammals.
Ecological Importance
Fruit-eating wildlife
Wompoo fruit dove
Figbirds
Currawongs
Lewin’s honeyeaters
Possums
Fruit bats
They disperse seeds far through the forest.
Habitat role
Provides dense shelter for small birds.
Offers year-round foliage cover.
Important mid-story species in rainforest and wet sclerophyll ecosystems.
Fire ecology
Moderately fire-sensitive but can regenerate from seed and protected stems.
Often one of the first fruiting species to return after disturbance, supporting recolonising wildlife.
Recipes: