Garden Bed 2

Botanical name: Anigozanthos viridis

Common name: Green Kangaroo Paw, Swamp Kangaroo Paw

Noongar name: Koroylbardany, Koroylbardang

Description: Rhizomatous, perennial, herb, 0.05-0.85m high. Flowers are green/yellow-green from Aug to Oct.

Soil/habitat: Sand, loam, clay. Winter-wet areas.

Cultural use: The roots were eaten either raw or roasted in hot ashes. Sometimes roots were ground into a paste which was then formed into cakes and baked in hot ashes.

Botanical name: Atriplex nummularia

Common name: Old Man Saltbush

Noongar name: Purngep, Pining or Binga

Description:  A woody shrub up to 3m high, grown in the ground or pots.

Soil/habitat: Tolerates drought, salinity and sandy soil in the wild, a rich and loamy, but free-draining soil.

Cultural use: Commonly used today as a livestock grazing plant. The seeds and leaves are viable bush tucker, with the leaves salty in flavour and rich in protein, antioxidants and minerals. Enjoy leaves blanched, sautéed, wrapped around meat or fish, used in salads, or for stuffing poultry or dried as a herb or sprinkle.

Botanical name: Bulbine bulbosa

Common name: Native Leek, Bulbine Lily or Wild Onion

Noongar name:  Pike (Woiwurrung), Parm, Puewan

Description: A small plant, reaching a 40cm height and 30cm width, grass-like appearance and bright yellow star-shaped flowers from September to March.

Soil/habitat: A loamy soil that holds plenty of water, in full sun or dappled shade.

Cultural use:  Has edible seeds used similar to fennel seeds, roots and below-ground corms that are a tasty bushfood and contains calcium and iron and was likely roasted before eating. The corm’s protruding roots are also edible, with a mild oniony flavour.

Botanical name: Calothamnus lateralis

Common name: Common Net Bush or One-sided Bottlebrush

Description: Erect shrub 0.4 to 1.5m high. Flowers are red from August to December. 

Soil/habitat: Swamps and winter wet depressions.

Botanical name: Calothamnus quadrifidus

Common name: One-sided Bottlebrush

Noongar name: Kwowdjard, Quietjat

Description: Erect, compact or spreading shrub, 0.9-2m high. Flowers are red/white-yellow from Jun to Dec.

Soil/habitat: Wide variety of soils & habitats.

Cultural use: Flowers were a good source of nectar and were either sucked directly or soaked in water to make a sweet drink, often left to ferment to become an alcoholic drink.

Botanical name: Darwinia citriodora prostrate seaspray

Common name: Darwinia

Description: Low mounding groundcover, 0.5-1m high, spreads up to 1m. Flowers are vivid orange-red, attracts honeyeaters, butterflies and bees.

Soil/habitat: Sandy, loamy well-drained soils.

Botanical name: Disphyma crassifolium (subspecies Clavellatum)

Common name: Round Baby Pigface, Noonflower, Iceplant or Purple Dewplant

Noongar name: Karkalla

Description: A low growing perennial ground shrub, 2–30cm high, 1–2m spread.

Soil/habitat: Well-adapted to a range of soil types including sand, loam and clay. A freely draining soil in a full-sun or partly shaded position.

Cultural use:Its rich, sweet fruits were a seasonal favourite among Aboriginal families, to complement summertime seafood. Edible leaves, traditionally served cooked as an accompaniment to game meat. A juicy, refreshing burst of flavour in salads, stir-fries, pickles and as a flavoursome ingredient in seafood dishes. 

Botanical name: Eremophila nivea

Common name: Emu Bush

Description:  Silvery foliaged shrub, 0.8-2m, spreads up to 2m. Flowers are purple tubular from Aug to Jan and May to Jul. Attracts bees, nectar eating birds, butterflies.

Soil/habitat: Dry, well drained, loamy, sandy load, clay loam, potting mix.

Botanical name: Ficinia nodosa

Common name: Knobby Club-rush

Noongar name: Yangjet

Description: Erect, perennial herb (sedge), to 1m high. Flowers are brown/cream from Oct to Dec or Jan.

Soil/habitat: White sand, dark sandy clay, granite, limestone. Coastal dunes, flats, seasonally-wet swamplands, shores of salt lakes.

Cultural use: Roots are edible and were probably roasted in hot ashes before being eaten. Stalks were sometimes used to weave nets for catching fish and turtles.

Botanical name: Kennedia prostrata

Common name: Running Postman

Noongar name: Wollung, Pulbarn, Kuralo, Wollong

Description: Prostrate or twining shrub.

Soil/habitat: Usually sandy gravelly soils.

Cultural use: The flowers provide a source of sweet nectar that can be sucked straight from the flower. Leaves are used to make a tea-like drink, which has a pleasant liquorice flavour. Nectar was used to soothe sore throats.

Botanical name: Lepidosperma gladiatum

Common name: Sword sedge

Description: Rhizomatous, tufted robust perennial, grass-like or herb (sedge), 0.5-3m high, clumps to 1.5m wide. Flowers are brown from Nov to Dec or Jan to May.

Soil/habitat: White, grey or calcareous sand, limestone, loam. Dunes, creeklines.

Botanical name: Mentha diemenica

Common name: Slender Mint, Wild Mint

Description: A suckering plant that grows about 10cm high and with a seemingly endless spread if permitted to run wild.

Soil/habitat: Loves damp conditions and part-shade.

Cultural use:Use in salads, sandwiches, deserts, cocktails, water infusions and salt infusions. Leaves may be used fresh, or chopped and dried for later use.

Botanical name: Myoporum insulare

Common name: Coastal Boobialla, Native Juniper

Noongar name: Boobiala

Description: Dense, low spreading or erect shrub or tree (occasionally), 0.25m-5m high. Flowers are white from Jul to Dec or Jan to Feb.

Soil/habitat: White/grey sand. Coastal dunes and limestone.

Cultural use: Fruits are edible when ripe (bitter and salty).

Botanical name: Myoporum oppositifolium

Common name: Twin-leaf Myoporum

Description: Erect slender or sprawling shrub, 0.4-1.5m high. Flowers are white/white-purple from Aug to Dec or Jan or Mar to Apr.

Soil/habitat: Sandy soils, loam. Coastal areas, along creeks and rivers.

Botanical name: Pimelea ferruginea 'magenta'

Common name: Rice Flower

Description: Small shrub with small dark green glossy leaves, 1-1.2m, spreads up to 1m. Flowers are magenta pink tubular from Aug to Oct. Attracts bees, butterflies, insects.

Soil/habitat: Well drained, loamy, sandy loam, potting mix. Drought resistant.