492 AUSTRALIAN INDIGENOUS HUMAN FOOD-PROVIDING PLANTS, 



quantity of the juice produces very disagreeable and persistent 

 heartburn. 



All the colonies except Western Australia. 



25. BoMBAX MALABARICUM, DC, (Syn. B. Jieptaphyllum,\CQ.\. ; 



Sahnalia Malabarica, Schott) ; N.O. Malvaceae, B.Fl., i., 

 223. 



The " Simool " tree or " Malabar Silk-cotton " tree of India. 

 The calyx of the flower-bud is eaten as a vegetable in India 

 (Brandis). 



Queensland and Northern Australia. 



26. BowENiA sPECTABiLis, Ilook., N.O. Cycadese, B.FL, vi., 254. 



The yam-like rhizome is used largely for food by the natives 

 (Bailey). 



Queensland. 



27. Brasenia peltata, Piirsh., (Syn. Hydropeltis purpurea, 



Mich.), N.O. Nymphseacese, B.Fl. i., 60; Cabomba peltata, 

 F.V.M., Muell. Gens,, p. 1. 



This plant is considered nutritious in America, probably from 

 the large-grained starch it contains. 



Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. 



28. BucHANANiA ARBORESCENS, BluniP, (Syn. Coniogeton arbor- 



esans, R.Br.), N.O. Anacardiaceaj, Muell. Cens., p. 25. 



The " Little Goosel^erry" tree of Leichhardt. 



" The unripe fruits of this plant were gathered, and, when 

 boiled, imparted an agreeable acidity to the water, and when 

 thus prepared, tasted tolerably well. When ri[)e they become 

 sweet and pulpy, like gooseberries, although their rind is not very 

 thick. This resemblance induced us to call the tree 'the little 

 gooseberry' tree. It was much esteemed by the natives" (Leich- 

 hardt, Overland Journey to Port Essinytoii, p 479). 



Queensland. 



