Each week, environmental photographer and keen bush-walker Lachlan Turner will introduce his readers to plants and animals he’s uncovered in western Sydney's bushland and reserve areas. The Community Environment Centre volunteer this week teaches readers about a native plant he's found which you can eat.
The Narrow-leafed Geebung (Persoonia linearis) which is a small to medium shrub of open habit, can be found in open forest, scrub and woodland habitats.
It is usually in flower from December to July, however it is not recommended that people go out into the bush and sample any of these plants, their fruits or their flowers.
It is wise to carry out some research into which plants are or are not actually able to be eaten, as there are a number of similar species that could be mistaken for the edible ones.
Unpleasant side-effects could result if eaten.
Nevertheless, the fruits of this week’s plant (shown above) were known to be food for the indigenous people who previously lived in the local bush land.
The fruit must have first ripened, then freshly fallen to the ground before being edible.
Another feature of this plant is its bark.
The outside layers are flakey and dark brown to black in colour.
When the outer layer is lightly scraped, there is revealed underneath a rich red-coloured bark.
Indigenous Australians were known to use this bark for medicinal purposes as it possesses healing qualities.
There are two related species: a Broad-leafed Geebung (Persoonia levis), flowering July to December; and the Pine- leafed Geebung (Persoonia linearis), flowering March to July.
They also grow nearby in the same area.
To read Mr Turner's previous columns, click on the dates below:
■ March 31, 2014: Old Man Banksia (Banksia serrata);
■ March 24, 2014: The Forest Grass Tree (Xanthorrhoea media).