Deslardner.com

These will be covered in other radio talks, along with Bush Tucker

1. Native of Wimmera golden billy-buttons Craspedia chrysantha now Pycnosorus chrysanthes

Monocotyledons (R1)

Herbaceaous annuals or perennials, in 3’s , perianth is petaloid usually called tepals, as term sepals and petals is seldom used except in orchids. The perianth is much reduced or absent in grasses , sedges and rushes. Parrellel or reticulate venation.

2. Kangaroo apple (Solanum aviculare) Solanaceae. P123,p204

Primitive plants

3. Kangaroo fern parasite Microsorium diversifolium (Polypodiaceae)

4. Spreading fan-fern Sticherus lobatus (Gleicheniaceae) p239 ibid

5. Microsera lanceotala P198 fig 8.3 shows root stock, collect in spring not early winter. Contains Inulin. (also in Liliaceae) R5

Medicinal plants of Victoria. p201 R5

6. Centipeda cunninghamii (Sneezeweed) p202 fig 8.8 R5

7. Centipeda minima Dimboola /Hindmarsh sweezeweed

8. Kino : Diarrhoea

9. Mistletoe leaves (Amyema) in steambath for serious disease.

10. Santalum acuminatum oil from seeds for scalp sores.

11. Root and bark of Bitter quandong Santalum murrayanum narcotic stupefying drink (Stone 1911 p445)

12. Sonchus sp. Possibly

13. Actites megalocarpa (dune thistle) to soothe Pain and induce sleep.

14. Sap of exocarpus cupressiformis to cure snake bite (Smyth 1878 vol2 p160)

15. White elderberry Sambucus gaudichaudiana (Caprifoliaceae) R4

Bibiolography:
Ian Clarke & Helen Lee, Name that flower. Melb Uni Press.2nd edit 2003 (Dewey 582.13012/10a) $29.95
Rost, Babour, Stocking & Murphy, Plant Biology 2nd Edition (Dewey 580.58)
Lassak & MCarthy 1983
Willis, Fuhrer, Rotheram; Field Guide to the flowers&plants of Victoria.1975. (Dewey 581.9945)isbn 0589071807
Foreman & Walsh Flora of Victoria Volume 1 Introduction Inkata Press 1993. (Dewey 581.9945/16)

Alfalfa
Medicago sativa
Family: Papilionaceae (Leguminosae)

Botanical description: (Lucerne, purple medick). A perennial erect herb with three long-toothed leaflets, pinnately trifoliate, with toohed margins, with coarsely toothed stipules adhering to the leaf stalks and narrowing to a long point, much branched stems to 80cm high. Close racemes of voilet or blue flowers, are arranged on axillary stalks which are longer than the leaves. These form a spirally twisted hair pod.

Parts used: leaves

Properties: nutritive, bitter, diuretic, hypocholesterolaemic; probably hypoglycaemic, blood purifier, anto-thrombotic, anti-pyretic, stomachic and anti-spasmodic.

Medicinal uses: nutritive tonic for the elderly, especially for anaemia. Urinary disorders, stomach disorders and rheumatism. To reduce haemorrhage and as atonic after bolld loss. Historically for allergies such as hayfever and combined with mint to aid digestion. Externally to treat wounds.

Dose: 3-10g dry herb equiv.

Cultivation and environmental requirements: extensively grown on grazing land worldwide. Prefers deep soils in temperate climates.

Toxicity: flatulant and diarrhoea in excessive doses, also oestrogen like response symtoms. Pancytopenia and hypocomplementenemia reported in extreme doses of seeds. Seed capsule coat is possible toxic in high doses as with most dried legumes. (They contain protease inhibitors). Not recommended in Lupus, as may reactive SLE.