Thryptomene maisonneuvei

F. Muell.

Heath myrtle, Desert thryptomene

Myrtaceae Edible: Honey, Flowers - nectar

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Description

A low dense shrub. It has many branches and is round and compact. It grows 0.3-1.5 m high. The bark peels in thin red strips. The leaves are very small and crowded along the ends of the small branches. They have a sweet smell when crushed. The flowers are small and white or pinkish. The fruit are small woody capsules.

Edible Uses

The nectar is beaten from the flowers in early morning and consumed as a drink.

Traditional Uses

The nectar is beaten from the flowers in early morning. It is used as a drink.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a subtropical plant. It grows on red sand dunes and sandplains. It can grow in arid places.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Notes

There are 40 Thryptomene species. They grow in Australia.

References (5)

Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 191
Goddard, C. & Kalotas A. (Eds.), Punu, 2002, Yankunytjatjara plant use. Jukurrpa books. p 56 (As Aluta maisonneuvei)
Latz, P.K., 1996, Bushfires and Bushtucker: Aboriginal plant use in Central Australia. IAD Press Alice Springs p 285
Lord, E.E., & Willis, J.H., 1999, Shrubs and Trees for Australian gardens. Lothian. p 194
Paczkowska, G . & Chapman, A.R., 2000, The Western Australian Flora. A Descriptive Calatogue. Western Australian Herbarium. p 403