514 AUSTRALIAN INDIGENOUS HUMAN POOD-PROVIDING PLANTS, 



90. Ficus ASPERA, Forst., (Syn. F. scabra, Forst.), N.O. Urti- 



ceae, B.Fl., vi., 174. F. scabra in Muell. Cens., p. 22. 



" Rough-leaved fig." Called also " Purple fig" and " White 

 fig." " Noomaie" of the Rockhampton aboriginals, " Balemo" of 

 the Cleveland Bay (Queensland) aboriginals. 



This fruit, which is black when ripe, is eaten by the aboriginals 

 (Thozet). It is also eaten by colonists in the Clarence and Rich- 

 mond River districts of New South Wales. 



Victoria to Queensland. 



91. Ficus GLOMERATA, Wtlld., (Syn, F. vesca, F,v,M. ; Covellia 

 glomerata, Miq.), N.O, Urticese, B,F1., vi,, 178. 



" Clustered Fig " tree. 



The fruit, which is of a light red colour when ripe^ hangs in 

 clusters along the trunk and on some of the highest branches and 

 is used as food by the aborigines. 



The ripe fruit is eaten, and is good either raw or stewed 

 (G-amble, Manual of Indian timbers). Brandis, however, says, 

 "In times of scarcity the unripe fruit is pounded, mixed with 

 flour, and made into cakes." 



Queensland and Northern Australia, 



92. Ficus PLATYPODA, A. Cuun., (Syn, Urostigina platypodum^ 

 Miq.), N.O. Urticese, B.Fl., vi. 169. 



On his journey from Western Australia to the overland tele- 

 graph line, Mr. John Forrest, on more than one occasion, pronounced 

 the fruit of this tree to be "very good," 



P, A, O'Shanesy {Proc. Linn. Soc. JSf.S. W., vi., 736), however 

 states that the fruit of this species is not edible. But the 

 appetites of explorers frequently become voracious, and not too 

 discriminating. 



South Australia, Queensland, and Northern Australia. 



