Terminalia bursarina

F. Muell.

Pirijpirij, Bendee

Combretaceae Edible: Gum 10 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Terminalia bursarina, commonly known as bendee, is a tree of the family Combretaceae native to northern parts of Australia. The erect and straggly tree typically grows to a height of 8 metres (26 ft) in height and has deeply fissured bark. It blooms between June and September producing white-yellow flowers. The species is very similar to Terminalia canescens but has smaller leaves and fruits. It is in rock crevices and in river beds in the Kimberley region of Western Australia and the Northern Territory growing in sandy-stony soils over sandstone.

Description

A small tree. It has a rough and dark-grey "crocodile" bark. The inner wood is hard and yellow. The leaves are arranged in a spiral. They are 1.5-5 cm long and 0.2-2.5 cm wide. They are crowded on small branches. The fruit are 0.8-1.5 cm long and 0.4-0.9 cm wide. They are green-brown and have 2 narrow wings and a short beak.

Edible Uses

The edible gum from the tree is eaten; if hardened, it can be softened by heating in fire.

Traditional Uses

The edible gum is eaten. If hard it can be softened in the fire.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows along the banks of rivers and creeks.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Production

The tree exudes gum which is eaten.

Notes

There are about 200-250 Terminalia species. They are tropical.

Synonyms

Myrobalanus bursarina Kuntze

References (2)

Petheram, R.J. and Kok, B., 2003, Plants of the Kimberley Region of Western Australia. UWA Press p 525
Wightman, Glenn et al. 1994, Gurindji Ethnobotany: Aboriginal Plant Use from Daguragu Northern Australia. Northern Territory Botanical Bulletin No 18. Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory. p 50.