Our U3A Living Sustainably in the Suburbs group went for a visit to the Kumbartcho Sanctuary (Pine Rivers Community Nursery and Environment Centre) Bunya Pine Court off Drapers Rd Eatons Hill this morning. 3264 3953.
It has a large native plants nursery for plants from this region. Prices are from $1.50 per plant. It is run by quite a team of enthusiastic volunteers.
We had a delightful walk in the extensive grounds around a lake down along the paths to the Pine River which was clear and bubbling. Then we had a picnic morning tea. The grounds are like a botanic garden.
I purchased $15 worth of plants which are native bush food plants. The volunteer walked through with me explaining all about each and suggesting which were the best for edibility.
I ended up with:
[ul]Anulln winter apple (white edible berry) grows to 0.1m
Dianella Caerulea Blue Flax Lily (edible purple berry) 1m
Midgin berry (edible white berry) 0.5m
Black wattle (edible seeds) to 6m
Ruby saltbush (edible berries & leaves) to 0.5m
Triangule leaved hop bush (for hops for beer breweing & bread) to 3m
Lemon scented myrtle (leaves infuse ‘barley sugar’ scent in tea) 6m-15m
Aniseed myrtle (leaves infuse aniseed scent in tea) to 4m
Native tamarind (eat at least 2 because the 1st is so bitter!) 12-15m
Koda silky ash 8-15m
[/ul]