Cyperus bulbosus

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

(Australian) Bush Onion (locally called "wild onion") is an Australian native plant. Its scientific name is Cyperus bulbosus. This is not related to onions but rather a species of sedge.

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.

Its 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. This means they have been given stories of the origins of the bush onion, and are entitled to tell these stories and paint about them.

[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 1-86465-049-4, pp 3-5

• Turner, Margaret-Mary, Arrernte Foods: Foods from Central Australia, IAD Press, Alice Springs, 1994, ISBN 0-949659-76-2, p22.