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:
A fast-growing evergreen native found widely across Australia, enjoyed as bush tucker for generations. The leaves start out bronze but turn deep green.
Flowering begins in late-Spring/early-Summer (flowering is from November – February) with clusters of white fluffy flowers appearing across the branches. These then turn to edible, bright red, crisp, fleshy fruit.
They are ready to harvest when they turn pink or dark red.
Though it usually reaches up to 3-4m high and 2m wide, this tree can be easily kept as an edible hedge at 1m high.
The fruit surrounds a small circular seed.
Uses and Interesting Information:
In Autumn, this plant produces edible red berries that are apple-like in texture with a mild-sweetness. Some describe the fruit as having a refreshing taste, and have a small hint of sourness to them. Others refer to the taste as “pleasantly sour”. They are a rich source of vitamin C.
They may be eaten freshly picked from the tree, or made into jams, cakes and wine.
The fruits attract lots of birds, especially currawong, fruit-doves and king parrots.
Recipes:
A Recipe for Lilly Pilly Jam:
Ingredients:
1 cup lilly pillies, deseeded
1/2 cup sugar
1 lemon
1 star anise
2 cloves
1 tbs chia seeds
Method:
1. Add the Lilly Pillies, sugar, star anise, cloves and chia seeds into a saucepan with enough water to cover the berries
2. Simmer on a low heat for around an hour, if your water gets too low add a little more
3. Once the consistency thickens (like syrup) use a fork to smash up any Lilly Pillies that are still whole and add the lemon juice. Simmer for another 20 minutes
4. Remove from heat and let it cool down in the pan before transferring it to an airtight jar. Lasts for 4 weeks in the fridge and is perfect for your morning toast!