Heliotropium tenuifolium

Description

A small shrub which keeps growing from year to year. It grows 30-60 cm high and 30-60 cm wide. The stems are powdery. The young growth has short hairs. The leaves are 2-4 cm long by 0.1-0.2 cm wide. They are silvery and the edges curl backwards. The flowers are about 0.9 cm across. They are white. The nuts are hairy.

Edible Uses

The seeds are ground into a paste then cooked.

Traditional Uses

The seeds are ground into a paste then cooked.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in the tropics and subtropics. It grows in both coastal and inland regions. It needs an open sunny position and a well drained soil. It can tolerate light frosts. It can grow in arid places.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seed.

Notes

There are about 250 Heliotropium species.

Also Known As

Mamukata

References (8)

• Cancilla, D., 2018, Ethnobotanical and Ethnozoological Values Desktop Assessment - Eliwana Project. p 13
• Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 190
• Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1990, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 5. Lothian. p 291
• Kenneally, K.E., Edinger, D. C., and Willing T., 1996, Broome and Beyond, Plants and People of the Dampier Peninsula, Kimberley, Western Australia. Department of Conservation and Land Management. p 73
• Latz, P.K., 1996, Bushfires and Bushtucker: Aboriginal plant use in Central Australia. IAD Press Alice Springs p 211

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