Coastal Plants

Bain

Groundcover; grows on beaches and dunes; fruits eaten in late December; juice used to treat burns, scalds and stings.

Balga

Plant up to 5m grows on coastal plain; gum from flower spike used for cakes; leaves used for torches; dead flower stem used to make fire; resin used as an adhesive; bardi grubs collected from dying trunks.

Born or mardja

Groundcover, widespread in woodlands and heath; reddish orange roots eaten and used for dye.

Djubak

Groundcover, flowers after summer fires; juicy tubers collected in Kambarang (spring); eaten raw or roasted.

Djuk; also weelarra, waang

Upright shrub, grows in sandy areas over limestone but few remain in coastal areas; red fruits mature in Kambarang-Birak.

Jeeriji

Palm-like shrub, widespread; toxic fruit treated extensively by burial and soaking before being eaten.

Kara

Groundcover, grows in coastal jarrah and banksia woodlands; white tubers eaten.

Kerbein

Groundcover, grows in sand dunes; palatable section of stem eaten all year round.

Moodjar

Tree, grows on coastal plain; parasitic on grasses; spirits of dead people inhabit the Mooja so should be treated with care.

Nyilla-nyilla

Epiphyte, grows around estuaries; parasitic on the salt sheoak; fruits collected in summertime.