Gali-galing

Grevillea pteridifolia

The Fern-leaf grevillea flowers around July
When the flowers bloom
When the tree bears its bright orange flowers the Miriwoong people know it is the cold weather season
It is usually found in the sandy country
You can put the flowers in water to to make a sweet gil-galing cordial

Garrjang / Gerloowoorrng

Nymphaea sp.

The Water lily is found in most lagoons and springs and has beautiful flowers
The flowers can be found all year round, but were traditionally harvested between April and August
In Miriwoong there are different words for each part of the Water lily:
- Nageng – Water lily bulb.
- Yibooboong – Water lily flower.
- Galyang / gan-ngooning – Water lily root.
- Ngerrawaling / gajajeng – Water lily seed.

Genamboorroong

Acacia gonoclada

The Genamboorroong tree is a type of wattle commonly found near creeks in the hill country
The wood is used by the Miriwoong people to make spears

Goonjang

Cochlospermum fraseri

The Kapok tree is a small tree that grows along the sides of rocky hills.
It produces a bright yellow flower around June-August and indicates that it is cold weather time
The plant was also an important food source for the Miriwoong people

Gerdewoon

Adansonia gregorii

The Boab tree is a large tree that grows in most parts of the country
It produces a large nut that is ready to harvest at the end of the cold season
People also harvest it to roast when it is still green at the end of the wet.

Mangadang

Calytrix exstipulata

The Mangadang (Turkey bush) is a small plant that grows on rocky hill country.
In June-July of the cold season, the shrub produces clusters of purple flowers This is when the wood is strong and can be used for making spearheads

Nyinggiwoogeng

Brachychiton paradoxum

The Nyinggiwoogeng (Bush peanut) fruits in August.
This tree can grow to about three meters in height
Its seeds are a valuable food source for the Miriwoong people during the cold time

Ngamoorrwarding

Marsdenia australis

The Ngamoorrwarding (Bush Banana) grows on a vine, growing up and around certain trees in the low land country
The fruit grows between March and May, and has a sweet flavour to it
The fruit used to be an important, common food source for the Miriwoong people but is now harder to find

Wiling

Grevillea pyramidalis

The Wiling (Caustic bush) grows around three to four meters high and has needle-type leaves
When the tree flowers, in Jun-Jul, it is an indicator that it is the middle of the cold weather season

These are just some of the many bush foods which grow in the cold time. To find out more, check out the Miriwoong Seasonal Calendar book available at the Mirima Dawang Woorlab-gerring Language and Culture Centre!

Click below to return to Warnka-mageny or check out some of the animals in Warnka-mageny

WARNKA-MAGENY

WARNKA-MAGENY ANIMALS

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