Edible Gardening

Australian native edible plants



Clarence loves the diversity of Australian native plants, and their clever adaptations that allow them to survive in a huge range of conditions. But what he really loves about our native plants is the many ways they can be used.

Gulgadya

Xanthorrhoea sp.

These stunning and iconic native plants have a multitude of uses. The older flower spikes were used as spears, particularly training spears for young indigenous boys, as they were lighter, and floated back to the surface if used for spear fishing. The sap or resin that often bleeds form the base of the plant and the flower spike was used as a glue. When flowering, the sweet nectar literally drips from the thousands of flowers along the flower spike and is enjoyed as a treat.

Sydney Rock Orchid

Dendrobium speciosum

Aside from it’s stunning flowers and exquisite perfume, the Sydney Rock Orchid is an easy to grow epiphyte, thriving on neglect in the toughest of spots. Once flowering has finished, the fleshy stems can be eaten. Treat as a potato, the stems can be roasted, mashed, fried and even made into chips.

Grevillea

Grevillea sp.

One of many Australian native plants that produce nectar-heavy flowers, grevilleas can be a real sweet treat when in bloom. Mid-morning, when the nectar is dripping from the blooms, make a sweet drink by dipping a flower head in water and gently swirling – make sure there’s no creepy crawlies in there – and enjoy. The nectar can be tapped into your palm and enjoyed on the spot – delicious!

Bulbine Lily

Bulbine bulbosa

The long-flowering Bulbine Lily is often referred to as the native Daffodil, but the real treat to this plant is below the ground. The tubers are a delicious, starchy delicacy, and can be roasted, fried or chipped in the same way as a potato.

Cut-leaf Daisy

Brachyscome multifida

These tough, stunning groundcovers are not only great space-fillers in the home garden, the flowers are also edible! Why not add a touch of native class (just like Clarence) to your next fruit salad, pavlova or chocolate cake?Watch Gardening Australia on ABC iview: http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/gardening-australia

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21 Comments

  1. Thank you for this great video! I want to do my entire front yard in natives that are also edibles for humans and animals alike. Please do more covering this sort of topic!

  2. I love this thank you. I'm slowly filling my little garden up with natives and putting some bush tucker in too.

  3. I NEED MORE BUSH TUCKER TIPS FROM CLARENCE!! I always love when there's a feature from him on the show 😀

  4. Gardening Australia need to produce a bush tucker/medicine book full of this kind of information. I'm sure it would be a big seller.

  5. Love this! I want an all Australian native edible garden.
    Leaving some for other animals and people is a wonderfully wise action.

  6. These edible native episodes are my favourite episodes, although all native episodes are fantastic.

    Would love more in-depth episodes on natives, and maybe even a touch of cooking with natives.

  7. Thanks Clarence you are always full of great info. This vid has helped me with the natives I want to plant along side of the veges when I get my new wheelchair and garden up and running. I have been dreaming of this for years and I hope it will all be resolved this year. I love watching G.A.,I have learnt so much and every time I watch am episode I look up the plants and write them down, so far I think I need about 8 hectares LOL. Thank you mate, thank you to every one at G.A. you are all fantastic.

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