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 beautiful, relatively fast growing, resilient shade tree with short-buttressed trunk. It is commonly found in coastal lowlands in beach forest and in upland rainforest and even appears regularly in open woodland as a component of regenerating rainforest. The glossy pinnate leaves with assymetrical leaflets is ornamental and reminiscent of the Red Cedar.
It flowers in Summer, with large sprays of lovely small white to pink flowers. These lead to ovoid black fruit in December/January, attracting many native bird species.
The branches and leaves are beautifully fragrant when broken, with a very characteristic scent that some liken to mango or mandarin.
Uses and Interesting Information:
Some authorities say the fruits are delicious, others say the fruit is “not edible”. They are usually eaten by birds as soon as they ripen.
Timber is pinkish (hence the name “Maiden’s Blush”), soft, light and porous. It was once very popular for brake blocks on bullock wagons, and is used for plywood, furniture and joinery. It sands beautifully, and finishes well for a soft timber.
Recipes:
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