WAJAARR BIRRIIMBA

---

Syzygium anisatum - Its edible leaves can be consumed fresh, dried or powdered. Leaves are often distilled for their essential oil and may be used fresh or dried in tea. Aniseed Myrtle prefers well-drained, nutrient-rich soil in a sunny position, but may also be grown in part shade. 

Billardiera scandens -  This is a bush tucker plant with fruits ripening in late Summer. It’s able to be grown as a light climber or a small shrub. This plant can grow in full sun to part shade.

Archontophoenix cunninghamiana - It is a tall fast-growing rainforest palm with bright deep green leaves and a slender grey trunk with a slight 'belly' bulge. Tails of pale pink flowers hang in clusters and produce red berry fruits in Autumn-Winter. Prefers full sun to part shade and can tolerate cool conditions.

Castanospermum australe -  An attractive  riparian rainforest tree with glossy dark green foliage. Yellow and red pea-like flowers during Summer. It attracts birds and in an open environment it tends to be large and spreading. Prefers full sun.

Omalanthus populifolius -  A shrub or small tree with soft green leaves above and grey/green underneath. The mature leaves often turn a dark red. It was valued for its healing properties. The two-lobed bluish capsular fruits ripen from December- March. Prefers full sun.

 Eucalyptus gummifera -  A fast growing tree. Tolerates a wide variety of soils. Flowers are ornamental and showy since they are produced on the outside of the canopy. Seeds are eaten by cockatoos. Glider possums actively scar this tree, trunk and branches to access the sap flow for food. Flowers in late Summer through to early Autumn. Prefers full sun.

Eleocarpus grandis -  This plant is prized for its beautiful wood, attractive flowers and bright blue fruit. This species flowers from Autumn through Winter, with fruiting from Spring onward.  Grows well in full sun and part shade, preferring rich soils that retain moisture but drain easily. 

Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia -  An attractive spreading tree with glossy leaflets. Flowers are insignificant. Showy fruits occur during winter and are two-lobed, yellow or red with large black seeds. These are edible and tasty when fresh, but care should be taken not to bite the red outer rind as this contains an irritant. Fruits in April, May, June. Prefers full sun and light shade.

Syzygium hemilamprum - A medium to large shrub or small tree, which produces thick emerald leaves with orange to yellow new growth, and fluffy cream flowers. Leaves can be used in a tea and the edible berries are rich in vitamin C.  These berries are white to pink and can be eaten straight from the plant as well as made into jams and condiments. Prefers full sun, light shade.

Araucaria bidwilli -  Its native environment is in rainforest areas. With its distinctive domed habit, this tree needs space to develop. The nuts have always been a healthy source of food. Prefers full sun or part shade, adaptable to soil types but requires good drainage. Frost and drought tolerant once established.

 Livistona australis -  It is a tall palm with glossy green leaves in a fan like construction. It has been used in constructing dwellings and for roof thatching. The sweet hearts of the fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. In Summer this giant palm produces striking spikes of cream flowers which resemble cabbages. It thrives in rainforest margins along the east coast of NSW. 

Backhousia myrtifolia -  A native hardwood that was popularised as a bushfood in the late 1980s. Its leaves give off a cinnamon fragrance when rubbed or crushed. They may also be used fresh or dried, steeped in hot water, to make an herbal tea. This tree grows well in most soil types,

but will tolerate long, dry Summers provided it is watered regularly. Prefers full sun.

Hear name in Gumbaynggirr language

Rubus probus -  It is a shrub, which spreads if given a chance. It produces white flowers from late Spring to Summer. It is useful in honey production as the flowers are heavy in nectar and pollen. The berries can be eaten raw or used in jams and sauces. 

Prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.

Viola hederacea -  is a spreading native groundcover with kidney shaped leaves and white five-petalled flowers with mauve centres which stand proud of foliage on slender stems. Very adaptable especially in shaded sites with regular water. The flowers can be eaten. The small green leaves are also edible. 

Prefers a sunny habitat in loose-free draining soil.

 Dioscorea transversa - Slender climbing vine with distinctive heart shaped leaves and 3-winged seed pods.  The alternate heart shaped leaves are light to dark green which die back during winter. Each seed pod has three light green, flat papery wings that collectively hang in clusters, turning whitish brown in winter. The yam is edible and a highly prized food. It is cylindrical and can grow deep into the soil. 

It grows well in the rainforest.

Cordyline stricta - (aka Palm Lily) It is found in coastal rainforest. The leaves are long and thin with mauve flowers which develop into purple to black berries. The berries are edible and can be made into jam. An astringent juice was extracted from the roots. 

Prefers full sun to shade and does not tolerate frost.

Melaleuca quinquenervia  -  This is a medium sized tall tree with leathery leaves that are alternately positioned and have five distinctive longitudinal veins.  Thick soft papery bark in cream to brown shades. Its flowers are white bottlebrush like and occur in late Summer to Autumn. The bark was traditionally used for wrapping food for cooking, lining cradles, to stuff pillows and as emergency bandages. 

Prefers full sun to light shade.

Carpobrotus glaucescens - A low growing ground cover that has thick fleshy smooth foliage that is triangular in shape. The fleshy substance found in the leaves can be used for midges and blue-bottle stings. It produces daisy like flowers during Spring and Summer but also can flower throughout the year. The flowers will close during overcast or wet days. After flowering the plant will produce a red to purple strawberry fig flavoured fruit.  

It is extremely salt and wind tolerant. Pig Face prefers full sun.

Podocarpus elatus - It is a rainforest tree and also tolerates coastal conditions. Plum fruits are made up of two segments – a hard inedible seed and a large, fleshy purple-black berry. Its juicy, pulpy fruits have a grape-like texture and sweetish, mild pine flavour that can also be cooked. They ripen between March and July. Prefers full sun and part shade.

Callistemon -  The flower spikes of bottlebrushes form in Spring and Summer and are made up of a number of individual flowers. The flower consists of filaments which give the flower spike its colour and distinctive 'bottlebrush' shape. The flowers can be spectacular and are attractive to nectar-feeding birds and insects. Prefers  full sun to part shade.

Toona australis/cedra - It is a rainforest tree and one of Australia's few native deciduous trees, with the leaves falling in autumn and growing back in spring. The new leaf growth is a coppery-red colour. It produces masses of white flowers that are very small and tubular in shape. The fruits are green capsules which change to a brown colour and tear open into star shape to release seeds, which are small and winged. By Summer the tree has  a bright green foliage canopy. Its astringent bark was used for fevers and the orange flowers were used as a dye. Prefers full sun or part shade.

Grevilllea robusta -  It is a tall fast-growing tree with deep golden flowers Spring-Summer, large deep green ferny leaves all year round. Attracts wildlife. Timber useful for fine woodworking flowers for honey production. It is very adaptable to different climates and soil types, and can tolerate both drought and frost. 

Prefers full sun to part shade.

Syzygium luehmannii -  It is a medium-sized coastal rainforest tree with dense foliage. The new growth displays bright pink leaves. Creamy white or pink flowers appear in summer. Leaves can be used in a tea and the edible berries are rich in vitamin C.  These berries are pink to red and can be eaten straight from the plant as well as made into jams and condiments. 

Prefers full sun to  light shade.

  Corymbia maculata - This eucalyptus grows straight and tall and has a distinctive trunk with patches of old bark contrasting with the cream bark underneath. The leaves are dark green and glossy. It produces fragrant white flowers from Autumn to Winter. As it flowers in Winter it is important for winter honey production and maintenance of healthy beehives. The seeds are encased in brown barrel shaped fruits. 

Prefers full sun and is also drought and frost tolerant.

  Eucalyptus olida - This is a medium sized eucalypt whose flowers are cream coloured and are followed by small woody capsules. The glossy green leaves are intensely aromatic. Mature leaves are fairly long and curved, bluish-green, and have a sweet fruity smell which are used to enhance the flavour of cooked fruit dishes, desserts or spiced jams. Leaves also used in herbal teas and carbonated beverages. Prefers full sun.

Cyathea australis - Its 'trunk', is an enlarged rhizome. This cold-hardy fern is resilient, able to thrive in diverse conditions, from moist mountain regions to drier slopes.  Stalks were roasted and eaten as a tonic after any sickness. Upper trunk contains a core of white starch. Uncurled fronds are juicy and edible.  Its robust nature extends to coastal environments, where it withstands salty winds. 

Prefers partial shade to full shade.

Lniospadxi monosatchya - It’s a small rainforest palm with showy spikes of cream flowers and edible red berries. As the plant matures the leaves split to form narrower shaped leaves. Long drooping spikes of flowers are followed by bright red berries which are edible. The stem was used for a spear and fishing rod and the stripped leaves were used as string. As a rainforest plant its natural habitat is cool and humid. 

Prefers a shady sheltered spot, but will grow in filtered sun.

Tetragonia tetragonoides - It is a low growing herb used the way you’d use spinach. The leaves are rich in oxalates, so should be blanched or cooked before eating. It is high in antioxidants. Small yellow flowers will appear in Spring and Summer. 

Prefers sunny to shady spots.

Tristaniopsis laurina -This tree grows along the banks of streams, where the trunks and branches tend to be shaped in the direction of the current and give an indication of the flood height. It has dark green leaves, deep orange-red colour when young and yellow flowers.  

Prefers full sun or part shade, will tolerate light frost and short drought.

Waterhousea floribunda -  It features lush bright green foliage, with new growth tinged pink. It has a lightly weeping habit with wavy edged foliage. White flowers appear in Summer, followed by rounded green fruit with a redish tinge when ripening, that's attractive to birds. Prefers full sun.