Wongutha Name: Karlkurla
Botanical Name: Marsdenia australis
Common Name: Silky Pear, Bush Banana
Appearance
A slender woody vine that climbs up trees and shrubs and is often difficult to see amongst their leaves. It only uses the other plants for support; it is not a parasite. White cream to green coloured bell shaped flowers, which are borne in clusters at the ends of the stems. Fruits are large, green, tapering, egg-shaped pods, 40 - 100m long.
On maturity the pods become brown, split and release numerous black seeds with feathery plumes which can be carried long distances by the wind. Leaves are green, narrow and oblong.
Distribution
Found throughout the Western Australian Goldfields Region
Uses
A much-favoured food by First Nation Peoples. The flowers and fruits are edible when young before they become dry and mature. Mature fruits are roasted and have a sweetish taste.
The fruits are either eaten whole or the seeds and their plumes discarded, and the thick outer rind is eaten raw. The young leaves are eaten raw, and the older leaves are steamed. The only parts not eaten are the stems and fine roots.
The fluffy white seed plumes are used in Aboriginal ceremonies, seeds are reportedly used as an oral contraceptive.
Sources
Native Plant Guide found in Karlkurla Bushland Park and the Goldfields of Western Australia Kalgoorlie-Boulder Urban Landcare Group Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/kbulg1
