OLD FRUIT

THE ANCIENT QUANDONG, A PRIZED FOOD FOR UNTOLD EONS, IS NOW ENJOYING ITS MOMENT IN THE SUN AS BUSH TUCKER

Words Jennifer Stackhouse

Quandong is a parasitic tree that thrives in harsh conditions to produce edible fruit. The number of local names for it (see label) indicates its extensive use, especially among desert communities. It is also a very ancient tree that was once widespread. Fossilised quandongs dating back 40 million years have been found in the coal seams of southern Victoria. It is a staple food for many First Nations people — especially important as the fruit can be dried to eat when other foods are not available. It was also an early bush food eaten by European settlers. As well as being an important bush-tucker plant, quandong is a commercial success, harvested and processed for use in a wide range of food products. This lovely small evergreen is an excellent shade tree for dry areas…

You're reading a preview of

Good Organic Gardening (Digital) - 1 Issue, 15.1

DiscountMags is a licensed distributor (not a publisher) of the above content and Publication through Zinio LLC. Accordingly, we have no editorial control over the Publications. Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers or other information or content expressed or made available by third parties, including those made in Publications offered on our website, are those of the respective author(s) or publisher(s) and not of DiscountMags. DiscountMags does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness, or usefulness of all or any portion of any publication or any services or offers made by third parties, nor will we be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on information contained in any Publication, or your use of services offered, or your acceptance of any offers made through the Service or the Publications. For content removal requests, please contact Zinio.