The Blueberry Ash (Elaeocarpus reticulatus) is also bush tucker (bush food)! When the fruits are still firm, they are astringent and not tasty, but when more ripe they develop a flowery flavor. Because of its potential for human nutrition, a 2018 study investigated the phytochemical and antioxidant properties of the fruits of Blueberry Ash and found them to have a high content of phenolic compounds with antioxidant properties.
Australian Aboriginal people use the juice of the ripe berries medicinally for boils and sea ulcers, the bark for stings and the wood from the large branches and trunk for making weapons and tools.
This fast growing small-medium sized tree native to Australia produces a mass of the most beautiful pink or white fringed bell-shaped flowers in spring, followed by blue berries and tidy foliage throughout the year. It makes a great screen plant with an attractive shape of its own, but also can be pruned to maintain shape. It makes such a lovely tree, it is a wonder that it hasn’t caught on around the world as a good street tree option.
#ethnobotany #ethnopharm #australia #bushtucker #aboriginal #blueberryash #medicinalplant