School Science Lessons
(Foodgardens5b)
2024-10-28
Australian native foods, Bushfoods
Please send comments to: j.elfick@uq.edu.au
Australian native foods commercial suppliers
The term "Australian native foods" refers to Australian native plants known to be used by Australian aboriginal people for food.
Similarly, the term "bushfood", "bush foods", "bush tucker foods" refers to Australian native plants that Australians use or were known to use for food.
However, "bushfood" may refer to plants supplied by plant nurseries and labelled "bushfood", without evidence that they were Australian native foods and they may be hybrids subject to plant breeders' rights (PBR).
The Queensland Herbarium does not use the term "bush foods" in any publications and there is no agreed list of "bush foods".
However, in the list below, the common name preferred by the Austrlian National Herbarium or the Queensland Government is usually used.
Botanists avoid using the term "bush foods", because it refers to all of the indigenous foods for Australian indigenous peoples, including the protein component.
Botanists may prefer to use the term "Australian native foods" to differentiate between the foods the Aboriginal people used and the foods we use, because we use their foods in a different way, and we use less of those foods available to them.
The term "Australian native foods", excludes any food that need processing to remove toxin, because their methods have been lost
The term "bushfoods" includes foods that need processing, and can be toxic.
Australian native foods Common names of plants, A to Z.
Contents
Scientific names of some Australian native foods
The species below may not have been studied to determine the level of possible toxicity and the method of preparation or cooking needed to ensure no harm.
Aniseed myrtle, (Syzygium anisatum), Myrtaceae
Apple dumplings, (Billardiera scandens), Pittosporaceae
Apricot satinash, (Syzygium fibrosum), Myrtaceae
Atherton oak, (Athertonia diversifolia), Proteaceae
Atherton raspberry, (Rubus probus), Rosaceae
Australian cashew nut, (Semecarpus australiensis), Anacardiaceae
Australian Native Foods and Botanicals
Australian nutmeg, (Myristica insipida), Myristacaceae
Australian raspberry, (Rubus parvifolius), Rosaceae
Australian sandalwood, (Santalum spicatum), Santalaceae
Baobab tree, (Adansonia gregorii), Malvaceae
Beach bird's-eye, (Alectryon coriaceus), Sapindaceae
Bernie's tamarind, (Diploglottis berniana), Sapindaceae
Billy buttons, (Pycnosorus globosus), Asteraceae
Bitter quandong, (Santalum murrayanum), Santalaceae
Black apple, (Pouteria australis), Sapotaceae
Black bean, (Castanospermum australe), Fabaceae
Black plum, (Diospyros australis), Ebenaceae
Bloodroot, (Haemodorum spicatum), Haemodoraceae
Blue flax-lily, (Dianella brevipedunculata), Aspodelaceae
Blue gum, (Eucalyptus globulus var. globulus), Myrtaceae
Blue lilly pilly, (Syzygium oleosum), Myrtaceae
Blue quandong, (Elaeocarpus grandis), Elaeocarpaceae
Blue tongue, (Melastoma affine), Melastomataceae
Blue-leaved mallee, (Eucalyptus polybractea), Myrtaceae
Bolwarra, (Eupomatia laurina), Eupomatiaceae
Boobialla, (Myoporum insulare), Scrophulariaceae
Boonjee tamarind, (Diploglottis bracteata), Sapindaceae
Broad-leaved lilli pilly, (Syzygium hemilamprum), Myrtaceae
Brahmi, (Bacopa monnieri), Plantaginaceae
Bramble wattle, (Acacia victoriae), Fabaceae
Broad-leaved paperbark, (Melaleuca viridiflora), Myrtaceae
Broad-leaved peppermint, (Eucalyptus dives), Myrtaceae
Brush pepperberry, (Tasmannia insipida), Winteraceae
Bulbine lily, (Bulbine bulbosa), Asphodelaceae
Bunya nut, (Araucaria bidwillii), Araucariaceae
Burdekin plum, (Pleiogynium timorense), Anacardiaceae
Bush banana, (Marsdenia australis), Apocynaceae
Bush mint, (Mentha satureioides), Lamiaceae.
Bush nutmeg, (Horsfieldia australiana), Myristaceae
Bush onion, (Cyperus bulbosus), Cyperaceae
Bushy bluebell, (Wahlenbergia multicaulis), Campanulaceae
Cape gooseberry, (Physalis peruviana), Solanaceae
Cape York tamarind, (Diploglottis macrantha), Sapindaceae
Cape York turmeric, (Curcuma australasica), Zingiberaceae
Carallia, (Carallia brachiata), Rhizophoraceae
Carissa, (Carissa ovata), Apocynaceae
Cedar Bay cherry, (Eugenia reinwardtiana), Myrtaceae
Chinese water chestnut, (Eleocharis dulcis), Cyperaceae
Chocolate lily, (Arthropodium strictum), Liliaceae
Cinnamon myrtle, (Backhousia myrtifolia), Myrtaceae
Coastal saltbush, (Atriplex cinerea), Amaranthaceae
Coastal wattle, (Acacia sophorae), Fabaceae
Curara, (Acacia tetragonophylla), Fabaceae
Currant bush, (Carissa lanceolata), Apocynaceae
Currantwood, (Antidesma bunius), Phyllanthaceae
Curry leaf myrtle, (Backhousia angustifolia), Myrtaceae
Corduroy tamarind tree, (Mischarytera lautereriana), Sapindaceae
Cherry satinash, (Syzygium luehmanii), Myrtaceae
Coolamon lilly pilly, (Syzygium mooreii), Myrtaceae
Cut-leaf mintbush, (Prostanthera incisa, Lamiaceae
Davidson’s plum, (Davidsonia pruriens var. pruriens), Cunoniaceae
Davidson's plum, (Davidsonia pruriens var.jerseyana), Cunoniaceae
Desert raisin, (Solanum centrale), Solanaceae
Dodder laurel, (Cassytha filiformis), Lauraceae
Dried herbs
Dryander tamarind, (Diploglottis obovate), Sapindaceae
Dusky coral pea, (Kennedia rubicunda)
Emu apple, (Owenia acidula), Meliaceae
Emu foot grass, (Cullen tenax), Fabaceae
False sandalwood, (Eremophila mitchelli), Scrophulariaceae
Flinders Island celery, (Apium insulare), Apiaceae
Fraser Island "apple", (Acronychia imperforata), Rutaceae
Finger lime, (Citrus australasica), Rutaceae
Giant speargrass, (Heteropogon triticeus), Poaceae
Golden wattle, (Acacia pycnantha), Fabaceae
Green plum, (Buchanania obovata), Anarcardiaceae
Grey mangrove, (Avicennia marina), white mangrove, Verbenaceae
Gumbi gumbi, (Pittosporum angustifolium), Pittosporaceae.
Hard quandong, (Elaeocarpus obovatus), Elaeocarpaceae
Heath banksia, (Banksia ericifolia), Proteaceae
Jam wattle, (Acacia acuminata), Fabaceae
Jelly bush, (Leptospermum polygalifolium), Myrtaceae
Johnstone River almond, (Elaeocarpus bancroftii), Elaeocarpaceae
Johnstone River satinash, (Syzygium erythrocalyx), Myrtaceae
Kakadu plum, (Terminalia ferdinandiana), Combretaceae
Kankong, (Ipomoea aquatica), Convolvulaceae
Kangaroo apple, (Solanum aviculare), (S. laciniatum), Solanaceae
Kapok bush, (Cochlospermum fraseri), Bixaceae
Karkalla, (Carpobrotus virescens), Aizoaceae
Large pigweed, (Portulaca intraterranea), Portulacaceae
Lawyer vine, (Smilax australis), Smilacaceae
Leek lily, (Bulbine semibarbata), Asphodelaceae
Lemon tea tree, (Leptospermum liversidgei), Myrtaceae
Lemon myrtle, (Backhousia citriodora), Myrtaceae
Lemon-scented ironbark, (Eucalyptus staigeriana),Myrtaceae
Lilly pilly, (Syzygium smithii), Myrtaceae
Little gooseberry tree, (Buchanania arborescens), Anacardiaceae
Macadamia nut, (Macadamia integrifolia), Proteaceae.
Magenta lilly pilly, (Syzygium paniculatum), Myrtaceae
Mangrove, (Avicennia officinalis), Verbenaceae
Midgen berry, (Austromyrtus dulcis), Myrtaceae
Mikania vine, (Mikania micrantha), Asteraceae
Milkmaids, (Burchardia umbellata), Colchicaceae
Millaa millaa vine, (Elaeagnus triflora), Elaeagnaceae
Molucca bramble,, (Rubus moluccanus), Rosaceae
Mountain pepper, (Tasmannia lanceolata), Winteraceae
Mulga wattle, (Acacia aneura), Fabaceae
Muntries, (Kunzea pomifera), Myrtaceae
Murnong, (Microseris lanceolata), Asteraceae
"Musk mallow", (Abelmoschus moschatus subsp. 'moschatus'), Malvaceae
Native apricot, (Pittosporum angustifolium), Pittosporaceae
Native bush mint, (Prostanthera rotundiflora), Lamiaceae
Native cranberry, (Astroloma humifusum), Epacridaceae
Native currant, (Acrotriche depressa), Ericaceae
Native finger lime, (Citrus australasica), Rutaceae.
Native gardenia, (Atractocarpus fitzalanii), Rubiaceae.
Native ginger, (Alpinia caerulea), Zingiberaceae.
Native gooseberry, (Physalis minima), Solanaceae
Native grape, (Ampelocissus acetosa), Vitaceae
Native hibiscus, (Hibiscus heterophyllus), Malvaceae
Native lily, (Alocasia brisbanensis), Araceae
Native lychee, (Dimocarpus australianus), Sapindaceae
Native millet, (Panicum decompositum), Poaceae
Native mint, (Mentha diemenica), Lamiaceae
Native mulberry, (Pipturus argenteus), Urticaceae.
Native pepper vine, (Piper hederaceum), Piperaceae
Native pigface, (Carpobrotus rossii), Aizoaceae
Native potato, (Ipomoea costata), Convolvulaceae
Native raspberry, (Rubus rosifolius), Rosaceae
Native rosella, (Abelmoschus moschatus), Malvaceae
Native sarsaparilla, (Hardenbergia violacea), Fabaceae
Native tamarind, (Diploglottis australis), Sapindaceae
Native thyme, (Ozothammus obcordatus)
Native tobacco, (Nicotiana sauveolens), Solanaceae
Native violet, (Viola banksia), Violaceae.
Native violet, (Viola hederacea), Violaceae.
Native wampee, (Murraya crenulata)
New Zealand tea tree, (Leptospermum scoparium), Myrtaceae
Nitre bush, (Nitraria billardierei), Nitrariaceae
Nodding saltbush, (Einadia nutans), Chenopodiaceae
Noni, (Morinda citrifolia), Rubiaceae
Northern kurrajong, (Brachychiton diversifolius), Sterculiaceae
Orange berry, (Glycosmis trifoliata), Rutaceae
Oval leaf mint bush, (Prostanthera ovalifolia), Lamiaceae
Peanut tree, (Sterculia quadrifida), Malvaceae
Pencil yam, (Vigna lanceolata), Fabaceae
Pigface, (Carpobrotus glaucescens), Aizoaceae
Pink satinash, (Syzygium malaccense), Myrtaceae
Plum pine, (Podocarpus elatus), Podocarpaceae.
Potato bush, (Solanum ellipticum), Solanaceae
Prickly currant bush, (Coprosma quadrifida)
Purple apple-berry, (Billardiera longiflora), Pittosporaceae
Purslane, (Portulaca oleracea), Portulacaceae
Queensland blue flax-lily, (Dianella atraxis), Aspodelaceae
Red bopple nut, (Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia), Proteaceae
Red maids, (Calandrinia balonensis), Portulacaceae
Red-flowered kurrajong, (Brachychiton megaphyllus), Sterculiaceae
River mint, (Mentha australis), Lamiaceae
Rock lily, (Bulbine glauca), Asphodelaceae
Rose myrtle, (Archirhodomyrtus beckleri), Myrtaceae
Rough-shell Queensland nut, (Macadamia tetraphylla), Proteaceae
Ruby saltbush, (Enchylaena tomentosa), Amaranthaceae
Running postman, (Kennedia prostrata), Fabaceae
Saltbush, (Atriplex nummularia), Amaranthaceae
Samphire, (Salicornia quinqueflora)
Sandpaper fig, (Ficus coronata), Moraceae
Sandplain wattle, (Acacia murrayana), Fabaceae
Sawsedge, (Gahnia aspera), Cyperaceae
Scrambling lily, (Geitonoplesium cymosum), Asphodelaceae
Screwpine, (Pandanus odifer), Pandanaceae
Scrub nettle, (Urtica incisa), Urticaceae
Scurvy weed, (Commelina cyanea), Commelinaceae
Sea celery, (Apium prostatum), Apiaceae
Sea purslane, (Sesuvium sportulacastrum), Azoiaceae
Seaberry salt-bush, (Rhagodia candolleana), Amaranthaceae
Seablite, (Suaeda australis), Amaranthaceae
Silky myrtle, (Decaspermum humile), Myrtaceae
Silky wattle, (Acacia holosericea), Fabaceae
Small-leaved tamarind, (Diploglottis campbellii), Sapindaceae.
Smith's tamarind, (Diploglottis smithii), Sapindaceae
Smooth Davidson's plum, (Davidsonia johnsonii), Cunoniaceae
Sneezeweed, (Centipeda cunninghamii), Asteraceae
Spear-leaved Dioscorea (Dioscorea hastifolia), Dioscoreaceae
Spiny-head mat-rush, (Lomandra longifolia)
Strawberry gum, (Eucalyptus olida), Myrtaceae
Swamp wattle, (Acacia retinodes), Fabaceae
Sweet apple-berry, (Billardiera cymosa), Pittosporaceae
Sweet sarsaparilla, (Smilax glyciphylla), Smilacaceae
Sweet white kunzea, (Kunzea ambigua)
Tanjong tree, (Mimusops elengi), Sapotaceae
Tasman flax-lily, (Dianella tasmanica), Aspodelaceae
Tasmanian snow berry, (Gaultheria hispida), Ericaceae.
Tea tree, (Leptospermum petersonii)
Tropical banksia, (Banksia dentata), Proteaceae
Vanilla lily, (Arthropodium milleflorum), Liliaceae
Walking stick palm, (Linospadix monostachya), Arecaceae
Warrigal greens, (Tetragonia tetragonioides), Aizoaceae.
Warrilyn, (Eucalyptus pachyphylla), Myrtaceae
Water lily, (Nymphaea macrosperma), Nymphaeaceae
Wattleseed, (Acacia aneura, A. pycnantha, A. retinodes, A. longifolia, A. victoriae), Fabaceae
Weeping paperbark, (Melaleuca leucadendra), Myrtaceae
White aspen (Acronychia oblongifolia), Rutaceae
White correa, (Correa alba), Rutaceae
White elderberry, (Sambucus gaudichaudiana), Adoxaceae
Wild currant, (Antidesma erostre), Phyllanthaceae
Wild orange, (Capparis mitchellii), Capparaceae
Wild parsnip, (Trachymene incisa), Araliaceae
Wild passionfruit, (Capparis spinosa subsp nummularia), Capparaceae
Winter apple, (Eremophila deblis), Scrophulariaceae
Wirewood, (Acacia coriacea), desert oakFabaceae
Witchetty bush, (Acacia kempeana), Fabaceae
Wombat berry, (Eustrephus latifolius), Asparagaceae
<Yellow plum, (Ximenia americana), Olacaceae
Yellow tulipwood, (Drypetes deplanchei), Euphorbiaceae
Youlk, (Platysace deflexa), Apiaceae
Zamia fern, (Bowenia spectabilis), Stangeriaceae
Zig zag vine, (Melodorum leichhardtii), Annonaceae
Dried herbs
Dried Wattleseed Powder
Dried Strawberry Gum Leaf Powder
Dried Old Man Saltbush leaf
Dried Lemon Myrtle Leaf
Dried Cinnamon Myrtle Leaf
Dried Anise Myrtle Leaf
Bunnings
175mm
Lemon Myrtle (Backhousia citriodora)
140mm
Native Oregano, Native Bush Mint, (Prostanthera rotundifolia)
Sea Celery (Apium annuum)
Raspberry Jam Wattle (Acacia acuminata)
Pigface Round Baby (Disphyma crass. sp clavellatum)
Old Man Saltbush (Atriplex nummularia)
Pasture tropical grasses
Batiki Blue grass (Smut grass) (Ischaemum indicum), long narrow seed heads, tufts hairs from flowers, grows well in shade.
Bermuda Couch grass, (Cynodon dactylon), restricted growth in dry seasons, widely used for lawn establishment.
Birdwood grass, (Cenchrus setigerus), used in short season environment, used as erosion control species.
Buffel grass, Cultivar Biloela, (Cenchrus ciliaris), drought resistant, cultivars adapted to wide range of conditions
Centrosema, Common, Belato (Centrosema pubescens)
Columbus grass, Crooble, (Sorghum almum), good pioneer species, drought and salt tolerant. short lived.
Green panic, Petrie, (Panicum maximum), var. (Trichoglume), palatable, shade tolerant, combines well with
Siratro, and Greenleaf desmodium
Bambatsi panic (Panicum coloratum)
Guinea grass (Hamil grass), (Panicum maximum), well adapted to high rainfall tropical lowlands, robust, erect.
Kikuyu grass (Elephant grass), (Pennisetum clandestinum), palatable, good autumn growth, erosion control.
Koronivia grass, (Brachiaria humidicola), strong growing, forms thick mat on soil, grows well on coral soils.
Molasses grass, (Melinis minutiflora), Pioneer grass in high rainfall areas. Carries fire.
Para grass, (Brachiaria mutica), grows in waterlogged soil, high production on coastal lowlands, but not stand heavy feeding.
Paspalum grass (Paspalum)
Pangola grass (Digitaria eriantha) subsp. (decumbens)
Plicatulum, Rodd's Bay, (Paspalum plicatulum), good legume compatibility, for coastal areas, very palatable.
Rhodes grass, Cultivar Callide, (Chloris gayana), widely used in scrub lands, easy to establish, gives quick cover.
Sabi grass, Nixon. (Urochloa mosambicensis), combines well with Townsville Stylo
Setaria grass, Nandi, (Setaria anceps), for coastal areas, aggressive, early spring growth
Signal grass, Cultivar Basilisk (Brachiaria decumbens), good ground cover, prefer to Pangola and Guinea in high rainfall areas