Bush potato
Brachystelma glabriflorum

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A small plant which looks like grass but with a thicker stronger stem. The stems are 20-85 cm long. The leaves can be very small, like scales. They can also be long and narrow and 0.5-10 cm long by 2-10 mm across. The flowers are 10-12 mm long and 3-5 mm across. The plant has irregular shaped tubers. They can be 1-8 cm across. These tubers look and taste like potatoes.

Also put in the family Asclepiadaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in open forest in sandy or seasonally waterlogged soils. It is often near the edges of swamps amongst short rushes.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Malesia

How it is used for food

The tubers can be eaten raw or cooked.

Used by various aboriginal groups in Australia. It is not known if it is used for food in Papua New Guinea.

Edible parts

Tubers, root

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. Presumably they can be grown from the tubers.

Its other names

Local names

Badju, Bowich, Bungie, Chunga, Chungra, Djalwak, Jaliwak, Jaliwaki

Synonyms

Microstemma glabriflorum F.Muell.; Microstemma tuberosum R.Br.; Brachystelma microstemma Schltr.;