Mayi: Bush Tucker Recipes (page 3)

jungurrayi jungurrayi (bush vicks; Streptoglossa odora (female), Pterocaulon serrulatum (male))

This is a herb-like plant. It grows in many places, on the sides of hills and in floodouts. There are two kinds, male and female. The male jungurrayi jungurrayi has bigger leaves than the female. You pull up the whole plant and take it home. You trim it there. The new shoots are better - you can put them under a blanket with a baby sleeping on top, and the baby can smell that plant. Or you put them in a coolamon or at the pillow side. This is good for anyone with colds, coughs or flu. You can also boil the new shoots and make kids have a bath with the water or steam them as an inhalation.

R. Frank Narrurlu, A. Morrison Nangali; and from M. Jones Jampin et al, Anyinginyi marla Warumungu-ngara, Batchelor College, Alice Springs, 1997. Photo E. Wood

kalkkarti (soap bush, Halls Creek wattle; Acacia colei, Acacia cowleana)

This grows on plains - it is 'bush Rinso'. You break the little green bits that are like beans and you put them in cold water and rub your hands with them. Your hands get soapy. This is also bush food. You get all the black beans, and then you grind them up on a big flat stone, rubbing them with a little stone. You make them flat like a johnnycake. Then you put it in soft sand and cover it with hot ashes.

A. Morrison Nangali. Photo G. Warner

waljji kanttaji jangu (desert bloodwood with bush coconut; Corymbia opaca with Cystococcus pomiformis)

Bush cocout is an insect gall that grows on bloodwood trees. It is a bush tucker. We check to see that it is green and fresh. We open it with a stick or rock, and eat the inside, even the little insect. It's good to eat. These are also used for children's toys.

E. Graham Nakkamarra. Photo G. Warner