|
 |
|
This is a thick prickly bush which has tiny green berries. The berries have a milky sap when "raw" .The mayi turns black and soft when it is "cooked" and its sweet smell is a sign that it is ready to get picked .
The wood of this plant is used as a smoke repellant for mosquitoes by the five language groups. The green leaves are also used as a smoke medicine-they are placed over a small fire and a sick infant is then held
within the thick smoke to cure it of diahorrea or maybe just to make it strong. Adults can also be "smoked". This practice is called ngunyjirr in nyangumarta. The nyangumarta and karajarri people can use this plant or the poverty bush, which is common in their country, for smoke ritual.
There is a bush at the first crab creek turnoff on the Broome road extension of the great northern highway. In Bidyadanga kungkura grows much larger and can be found near the old government well. The kungkura mayi can be picked in may-june in Broome and as early as January at Bidyadanga.
Lanceolata – shaped like a lance head
Common name: Conkerberry
A dense shrub with small sharp thorns. The flowers are extremely fragant.
Oily sap from the roots rubbed on skin for rheumatic pains.
At the College it fruits in June - a good example is the tree near the old Sisters House at Notre Dame University.
Fire and drought tolerant.
Tiny white flowers - October
 |
 |
 |