Indigenous plants

Image

Name [Latin]

Birrpay cultural

Potential

How will we rehabitate this

use

issues/

area?

threats
Elaeocarpus reticulatus (Blue
Ash, Blueberry Ash, Fairy Petticoats,
Koda)(Greater Taree City Council,
2010).

Use as an uplifting bush

tea
Edible fruits
Fruits attract lots of birds

Gahnia sieberiana (Saw sedge

grass, Cutty Grass, Red fruit saw
sedge, Sedge grass) (Greater Taree
City Council, 2010).

Seeds are processed by

leeching, heat and
grinding into flour.
Seeds are also prized
amongst Birrpay men.
They are attatched to the
handles of Bundhii, Axes
and Wommeras.
They also put seeds onto
their headbands and
armbands for decoration.

Sawfly or
spitfire larvae
can devour
the plant.

Propagation is best using semihardwood cuttings from around

February. Germination from seed is
slow, it can take up to 2 years.

Over
development
& heavy
disturbance
Saw sedge has
very sharp
serrated edges
along the
leaves.

It favours damp sunny sites.

Preserve areas where it is growing
profusely & plant in sensitive areas
to discourage public access.

Lomandra longifolia ( mat

grass, Spiny-head Mat-rush, Basket
Grass)
(Greater Taree City Council, 2010).

Birrpay people use the

leaves of L. longifolia to
make strong nets and
baskets, and consume the
base of L.
longifolia leaves as food

Heavy
disturbance

It is very high tolerant to dryness

and does not have pest and
disease.
L.longifolia grow by seed or clump
division. When the fruits are dry
and turn brown, sow the seed in
moist soil for 6 weeks. Clump
division: by dividing the plant into
half and plant them in moist soil.
Use plants to stabilise soil in eroded
areas.
Plant in thick clumps and use as
teaching and cultural resource.
Create habitat for ground dwelling
creatures.

Melaleuca sp. (Paper bark,

Ti tree)
(Greater Taree City Council, 2010).

Rubus parvifolius (native

raspberry vine) (Greater Taree City
Council, 2010).

Bark used for shelter,

burial.
Leaves uesd for medicine

Berries are sweet &

edible
Leaves are good for bush
tea. It is know to clean &
heal the body from the
inside & helps with pain
& relaxation in pregnant
women.
It is considered a womens
medicine.

Heavy
disturbance
and
degredated
soils suffering
from high acid
sulphates
Contaminated
runoff from
elevated
building sites
Heavy
disturbance
Weed spray

Maintain protection zone over the

identified FMZ 4 area.

Grow profusely throughout the

area for a good harvest.

Eustrephus latifolius (wombat

berry, bamboo vine)
(Greater Taree City Council, 2010).

Root tubers are edible

yams

heavy
disturbance,

Pith in the fruit is edible.

contaminated
runoff from
elevated
building site

Vine is used as string

Smilax glyciphylla (native

sarsaparilla) (Greater Taree City
Council, 2010).

Medicine
Used as a tea to generally
feel better, to help with
stomach complaints & is
said to clean the blood &
chase away lethargy

Grow profusely throughout the

area for a good harvest.

heavy
disturbance

Encourage planting throughout the

area.

Weed spraying

Protect current plants with buffer.