Marsdenia
Marsdenia australis (Asclepiadaceae Family)
This extraordinary vine
grows up Acacia trees in most parts of Arid Australia - from
Kalgoorlie, to the far east coast of Australia. In fact, the name
Kalgoorlie was derived from the local indigenous name for this
plant - Kurgula. Around Alice Springs it is called Langkwe, and in
the Flinders Ranges it is Myakka.
Marsdenia has a long twining stem, which often seems to appear
from nowhere on it's host tree. For the untrained eye, the
Marsdenia fruit often seems to be part of the tree or bush it is
climbing on. The leaves vary from thin and spiky in the Flinders
Ranges, to long and wide for most plants that grow around Alice
Springs. The leaves broaden even more as you go northwards to the
Gulf Country. When cultivated, they are grown on trellises, not
unlike grape vines.
Marsdenia - or Bush
Banana, as they have been called - are really the "Pantry of the
Desert", as they have four different edible parts.
Firstly, the fruit, which is shaped a bit like a small smooth
Avocado. It has a wonderful flavour not unlike crunchy snow peas
and zucchini when small, but woody and fibrous when fully grown.
The plant exudes a sweet,sticky white sap when fruit or leaves are
plucked from the stem, and the fruit contains high levels of
thiamine.
Secondly, the flowers are quite spectacular, with creamy
succulent clusters of small cups which, when in full bloom, are
full of nectar. The flowers by themselves are a real culinary treat
and can be eaten straight from the vine, or used as a garnish.
Thirdly, the fresh young
leaves are great in salads. Last, but not least, there is a yam or
tuber in the ground at the base of the vine. The tuber carries the
plant through droughts, just waiting for the next big rains. The
vine also immediately responds after a bushfire.
The Marsdenia fruit are a wonderful green vegetable boiled or
microwaved with butter, lemon juice and Mountain Pepper. They can
also be sliced raw into salads, stir-fry or whole into casseroles.
The Marsdenia flowers are very special as a garnish for salads or
make a spectacular addition to fruit salad.
Grown by: