Pittosporum Angustifolium (Gumbi Gumbi/Native Apricot)

Growing slowly, it can reach upto Eight Meters, enjoying the full Autumn sun, this drought and frost tollerant tree attracts beautiful birds through its fruits and flowers.

The small round fruit ripens changing from green to a yellowish-orange colour which resembles an apricot. Inside, the wrinkled dark red seeds are held together with a sticky yellow pulp.

Gumbi Gumbi has traditional medicinal uses including pain relief, relief from eczema, treatment for colds,cramps and itching and seeds were ground for flour. Care must be taken as only a few varieties have been beneficial and others are toxic.

Ruby Saltbush – (Enchylaena Tomentosa)

Ruby Saltbush loves basking in the sun, among it’s green fleshy leaves are gorgeous little berries which range in colour from yellow to red. This hardy little native, woody succulent can survive saline soil, sandy soil, long droughts and even some frost. Critters such as bees and insects, lizards and birds are attracted to the Ruby saltbush for food and shelter.

Ruby Saltbush leaves are covered in fine white hairs which give the plant an overall attractive grey appearance. The small edible berries have a crisp salty-sweet flavour.

Berries can be soaked in water to make a sweet tea or eaten raw. The leaves are also edible, but should be cooked before eating and consumed sparingly as they are rich in oxalates.

Solanum Species

Soft sage colored furry foliage, violet flowers with a pop of bright yellow, this plant, up close, is very pleasing to the eye. What is most intriguing about this plant is that the features visually contrast each other. The soft velvety foliage and delightful delicateness of the flower are juxtaposed with fierce, long, prickly thorns.

All of these features have their part to play in the way this plant thrives in the desert.

After stumbling across this beauty one afternoon on a nature walk, I felt compelled to photograph this plant and research it.

There are many species of the Solanum, the one pictured is located in Andamooka.

In Australia, there are more than 100 species. Many are native and endemic.
Many species occur in arid and semi arid areas, but they do also grow in the tropics.

Some native species of Solanum were known as traditional Aboriginal bush tucker plants. Others are introduced edible weeds.
Several native Solanum species listed in “Wild Food Plants Of Australia”, though not all of them as edible. Some species are poisonous and many species have some parts that are poisonous and the edible parts are only edible at certain times and poisonous at others, so if you are planning on using them in your bush tucker remedies, ensure your research is thourough.

I prefer to stay on the safe side and enjoy this beauty for visual and research pleasure only. It is a very fascinating species.

Images by Leila Day