Wild One Cyprus

Wild One Cyprus

foraging food

kurrajong

Βραχυχίτων

japon kavağı

Scientific Name: Brachychiton populneus

other names: bottletree

AVAILABLE: JAN-DEC

EDIBLE PARTS:

Description

  • a drought and fire resistant tree growing to around 15m
  • the leaves are glossy green above, paler green below, acuminate tapering to a long point sometimes lobed deeply indented margins into 3 or 5
  • in the spring: cream, pink, or red clusters of bell-shaped flowers
  • dark brown woody seed pods, split open are packed with bright yellow seeds

preparation

  1. collect the pods and remove the seeds using gloves to avoid touching the white hairs which are a skin and eye irritant
  2.  the seeds can be roasted and eaten as a snack, or ground into a flour for baking or as a ‘coffee’ like drink
  3. the leaves can be chewed like chewing gum
  4. water can be obtained from the tree roots by boring a hole in the trunk and squeezing the wood
  5. The bark is fibrous and can be processed into twine and rope

extra info

The tree is native to Australia and an important source of water, ‘bush tucker’ and textiles for the First Nations people.

In Cyprus it’s planted by municipalities along roadsides and in public parks.

As an ornamental evergreen tree it is suited to the Cyprus climate being resistant to drought, fire, frost, diseases, weeds and even air pollution.

Also available in

December

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