For Earth Day (today) I’ve created a feral fruit tree map. Unfortunately, my area is a little light on feral fruit but I will add to it when I find more during my walks around the neighbourhood. So far I’ve spotted a mulberry tree, errant passionfruit vines, quite a lot of lilly pilly trees and some warrigal greens (native spinach) – although not a fruit, these greens are very edible.

In case you’re not sure, feral fruit is basically any fruit you can glean from a public space like a park, by the road side or overhanging a fence. It’s not only free, but grown locally and chances are its organic. (more…)

I’m always on the lookout for edible plants when walking around my neighbourhood. Today the streets were blooming with lilly pillies.

Lilly pillies are originally rainforest plants and native to Australia and south-east Asia.

People love using them as hedges. The ones near my house spend most of the year as leafy, green, glossy bushes. Occasionally, they break out in fluffy white blossoms and then today I noticed little dark pink cherry-like, apple shaped berries. A quick Google back home and a lilly pilly confirmation.

Since my travels into the world of native spinach, I’ve been looking into what other native edibles grow in my neighbourhood. I now know lilly pillies are everywhere. (more…)