Poverty Bush
A native plant of northern Australia. It is a tropical plant. It will grow on most soils. It prefers a sunny open position. It is damaged by drought and frost. It occurs in open forest.
Edible Portion
- Seeds, Grub
Where does Poverty Bush grow?
Found in: Australia
Notes: There are about 1,350 Acacia species. Over 1,000 occur in Australia. Also as Mimosaceae.
Growing Poverty Bush
Cultivation: It is grown from seed. The seed need treatment to break the hard seed coat. Normally this is by putting the seeds in very hot water and letting the water cool down overnight then planting the seeds immediately.
Edible Uses: The seed is eaten. An edible grub occurs in the roots. (The seeds are not used for damper as they have a pungent taste.)
Production: Flowering is from February to November. The pods explode when ripe.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seeds | - | - | - | - | - | - |
References
Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 35
Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 42, 188
Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1982, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 2. Lothian. p 123
Icon. Pl. 2: t. 160. 1837
Kenneally, K.E., Edinger, D. C., and Willing T., 1996, Broome and Beyond, Plants and People of the Dampier Peninsula, Kimberley, Western Australia. Department of Conservation and Land Management. p 134
Paczkowska, G . & Chapman, A.R., 2000, The Western Australian Flora. A Descriptive Catalogue. Western Australian Herbarium. p 327
Pennock, A., et al, Australian Dry-zone Acacias for Human Food: Proceedings of a Workshop.
Petheram, R.J. and Kok, B., 2003, Plants of the Kimberley Region of Western Australia. UWA Press p 287
Wheeler, J.R.(ed.), 1992, Flora of the Kimberley Region. CALM, Western Australian Herbarium, p 330