Warnka-Mageny Plants

Gali-galing

gali-galing cordial

gali-galing in flower

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 gali-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.

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.

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