Cyperus bulbosus

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

iBush onion
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Liliopsida Order: Poales Family: Cyperaceae Genus: Cyperus Species: C. bulbosus
Binomial name
Cyperus bulbosus

Bush onion, or wild onion, is an Australian native plant. It's scientific name is Cyperus bulbosus.

Bush onions are a traditional bush tucker food for Australian Aborigines. They are dug up on creek banks when the grass of the onion has dried out. The husk can also be eaten. They are eaten raw or cooked in the hot earth by the fire.

It's name in the Arrernte language of Central Australia is Merne yalke. In a neighbouring language, Kaytetye, it is called Erreyakwerra. Some Kaytetye, the Kwerrimpe women, have a bush onion Dreaming.^[1] which involves the bush onion and the origins of the Kaytetye people and language.

[edit] See also

• Indigenous Australian food groups

[edit] References

1. ^ Turpin, Myfany (comp.), Growing up Kaytete: Stories by Tommy Kngwarraye Thompson, Jukurrpa Books, Alice Springs, 2003, ISBN 1864650494, pp 3-5

• Turner, Margaret-Mary, Arrernte Foods: Foods from Central Australia, IAD Press, Alice Springs, 1994, ISBN 0949659762, p22.