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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.

Native Rosella

Scientific name:

Other Names:

Abelmoschus moschatus

Musk mallow, ambrette, musk okra, rose mallow, tropical jewel hibiscus, abelmosk

Family:

Malvaceae (same as okra)

Native Rosella

Basic info:

For more information, please see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abelmoschus_moschatus

Uses and Interesting Information:

A versatile bushfood plant traditionally used for its edible leaves, pods and flowers, and its aromatic, musky seeds. Eaten for nourishment and brewed for soothing teas, this plant also served as a natural perfume and digestive remedy. Today it is prized for its hibiscus-like flowers, okra-style pods, fragrant seeds, and its ecological role as a fast-growing pollinator and soil-helper in tropical gardens.


Indigenous Uses


1. Young shoots, leaves & pods – edible and nutritious

Indigenous Australians ate various parts of this plant, especially in northern and eastern regions.

  • Leaves and young shoots cooked like greens

  • Young pods eaten like okra (related species)

  • Flowers added to mixed vegetable foods

  • Seeds ground into meal or roasted in some regions

The plant is mild, slightly mucilaginous (like okra), and provides valuable fibre, nutrients and moisture.


2. Flowers – food and gentle medicine

The flowers were eaten both:

  • Fresh, or

  • Infused in water

Used traditionally for:

  • soothing the throat

  • easing mild stomach discomfort

  • hydrating during hot, humid seasons


3. Seeds – aromatic and medicinal

The seeds contain aromatic oils used traditionally for:

  • digestive tonics

  • breath fresheners

  • mild antiseptic uses

  • aromatic liniments

The scent is sweet and musky — the origin of the common name “Musk Mallow.”


4. Practical uses

Dried stems were sometimes used:

  • as temporary cordage

  • for tying small bundles

  • as light kindling



Stories, Culture & Interesting Lore


1. A plant of heat, storms and tropical seasons

Abelmoschus moschatus flowers during the hot, humid build-up and early wet season.

For some communities it was a seasonal indicator:

  • sign of incoming rains

  • cues for harvesting certain fruits

  • a reminder to repair shelters before storms


2. “The musk plant of good scent”

The fragrant seeds were sometimes carried in small skin bags to:

  • scent personal belongings

  • add fragrance to body oils

  • refresh bedding

Because the aroma lasts for months, it was seen as a long-memory plant, associated with stories and journeys.


3. A women’s and children’s food plant

Soft young leaves and pods cook quickly and digest easily.This made it a gentle plant, used for:

  • the very young

  • the elderly

  • people recovering from illness


4. A plant of resilience and renewal

Growing easily after disturbance — along tracks, burnt areas, and garden edges — it symbolised life returning after hardship.



Modern Human Uses


1. Tea & herbal preparations

The seeds and flowers are used today to make:

  • fragrant herbal teas

  • musk-scented tisanes

  • digestive blends

  • relaxation teas

The flavour is floral, warm and slightly sweet.


2. Culinary – similar to okra and rosella

This plant fits beautifully in modern bushfood cuisine:

  • Leaves in curries, stir-fries or soups

  • Young pods sautéed or steamed

  • Flowers in salads or desserts

  • Seeds roasted as a nutty garnish

  • Seed-laced syrups and desserts

  • Floral/herbal drinks

The flowers resemble rosella-family blossoms and can be used similarly (though less acidic).


3. Natural perfumery & skincare

Ambrette seeds are globally valued for their musky, warm perfume, traditionally used in:

  • essential oils

  • natural perfumes

  • massage oils

  • aromatherapy

  • botanical skincare

It is one of the only plants that produces a musk-like aromatic compound.


4. Landscaping

A beautiful, hardy plant:

  • large hibiscus-like flowers

  • attractive foliage

  • edible pods

  • self-seeds readily

Perfect for:

  • tropical/native gardens

  • bushfood beds

  • pollinator gardens

  • children’s sensory gardens


5. Regeneration & garden ecology

It grows well in:

  • disturbed soils

  • nutrient-poor edges

  • post-fire areas

making it valuable for early succession planting.



Ecological Importance


Pollinators

Flowers attract:

  • native bees

  • honeybees

  • hoverflies

  • butterflies

A major nectar source in the hot season.


Food plant

Seeds and foliage may be eaten by:

  • insects

  • small mammals

  • seed-eating birds


Soil improvement

Its fast growth helps:

  • shade soil

  • reduce erosion

  • add organic matter upon decay


Fire ecology

  • Returns quickly after fire

  • Germinates well in disturbed soils

  • Helps stabilise post-burn landscapes.

Recipes:

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