Extra information:

Australian National Botanic garden – Aboriginal Plant Use Trail

Araucaria bidwillii (Bunya Pine)

When this tree is mature it will bear large green cones, and inside each scale of the cone will be found a hard-shelled nut about 5cm long. These nuts were such a popular food that tribes came from hundreds of kilometres around the Bunya Mountains in southern Queensland to feast on them.

Particular trees were considered to be the property of certain Aboriginal families, but everyone was invited to share the delicious nuts, which are not unlike chestnuts when roasted in the fire.

Although found only in Queensland, Bunya Pines have been planted in the southern States, and the nuts may sometimes be bought in Sydney markets. They can be boiled or roasted.

Protected by Crown Decree in 1842 – Rescinded in 1860 to allow logging.