Gardenia pyriformis

(Native Gardenia)

 

Wadarr

Botanical name: Gardenia pyriformis

Call it: Wadarr in Yawuru

Dalwarr in Bardi

Daloorr in Nyul Nyul

Wutarr in Karajarri

Lirta in Nyangumarta.

Wudarr is another small tree, with little white flowers that later become a hard ribbed fruit. The large, divided sepals that remain at the end of the fruit are very distinctive. The mayi consists of many seeds embedded within a flesh that is covered by hard skin. When it turns yellow in June it can be picked or gathered from the ground. The flesh inside is squeezed out and eaten.

Bardi people, who are dependent on the sea for food, have a special use for this tree. They place green leaves on a rock and rub their feet on them. The effect is like that of a balm, giving some protection against cuts from the reef and stonefish stings.

The Karajarri people use the leaves in a similar way, first chewing them and rubbing the mixture on the soles of their feet for protection when walking on the hot sands of their country. Wudarr is also a medicinal plant. The Bard people use it to make an infusion, which they apply to aches and sores or drink for "cold-sick."

You can find the Wudarr in Broome, in the scrublands along Clementson Street and Kavite Road. The plant is found in many parts of the region covered by this book. In La Grange it is plentiful along the road from the turnoff into the community.

Gardenia pyriformis.(pie-ri-formis)

Garden botanist, pyrum; a pear, forma; shape.

Common name: spirit tree.

Uses: infusion of leaves can be drunk to treat head colds.

Also used as a poultice for aches and pains

Leaves can be rubbed on feet to protect against stone fish stings and

Coral cuts.

Spirit tree

GARDEN PYRIFORMIS

BUSH TUCKER

WUDARR