Rhyncharrhena linearis
(Decne) K.L. Wilson
Purple star, Purple Pentatrope, Bush bean
(c) cinclosoma, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
(c) cinclosoma, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
(c) cinclosoma, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
What to Eat
Edible parts: Fruit, Flowers, Leaves
The species is noted as an ancient food source of the peoples inhabiting the drier regions of Australia. All parts of the plant are known to edible, but the stem is not regularly consumed. The plant has a low nutritional value, although a source of vitamin C.
Where to Find It
It grows in subtropical and warm temperate places. It grows on stony soils and red sand. It grows near creeks. It can grow in arid places.
Australia*,
How to Identify
A twining shrub or climber from the Apocynaceae family with dark brown or purple flowers, native to subtropical and warm temperate regions. It grows on stony soils and red sand near creeks and can tolerate arid conditions.
Nutrition Score: 21/100
| Part | Moisture | kJ | kcal | Protein | Vit A | Vit C | Iron | Zinc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fruit | 85.8 | 191 | 46 | 1.1 | — | — | 0.4 | 0.8 |
Names & Synonyms
Angarak, Ngarwek, Ngarak, Puya, Warratu, Wintjulanpa
References (15)
- Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 882
- Cancilla, D., 2018, Ethnobotanical and Ethnozoological Values Desktop Assessment - Eliwana Project. p 14
- Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 190
- Flora of Australia, Volume 28, Gentiales, Melbourne:CSIRO Australia, 1996. p 229 Fig 70 p 149, Fig 109 p 230, Map 265 p 302.
- Green, J., (Ed.), 2003, Anmatyerr Plant Stories. AID Press. p 2
- INFOODS:FAO/INFOODS Databases (As Pentatropis kempeana)
- Lang, P. J., et al, 1986, Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands Biological Survey. p 43
- Latz, P.K., 1996, Bushfires and Bushtucker: Aboriginal plant use in Central Australia. IAD Press Alice Springs p 257
- Latz, P & Wightman, G., 1995, Desert Bush Tucker Identikit. Common Native Food Plants of Central Australia. Parks & Wild Commission Northern territory. p 42
- Low, T., 1991, Wild Food Plants of Australia. Australian Nature FieldGuide, Angus & Robertson. p 165
- Miers, G., 2004, Cultivation and sustainable wild harvest of Bushfoods by Aboriginal Communities in Central Australia. RIRDC report W03/124 p 20
- Morley, B.D., & Toelken, H.R., (Eds), 1983, Flowering Plants in Australia. Rigby. p 253 (As Pentatropis kempeana)
- Paczkowska, G. & Chapman, A.R., 2000, The Western Australian Flora. A Descriptive Catalogue. Western Australian Herbarium. p 153
- Smith, N. M., 1991, Ethnobotanical Field Notes from the Northern Territory, Australia, J. Adelaide Bot. Gard. 14(1): 1-65
- Urban, A., 1990, Wildflowers of Inland Australia. Portside editions. p 156
