Snottygobble Lollies!

"A Plant a Day"- Geebung, Snottygobble (Persoonia spp.)-

  How can I resist writing about a plant commonly called the Snottygobble?! Otherwise known as the Geebung, Persoonia species (close to 100 species) are Australian natives that are normally shrubby with simple leaves—many with striking bright green new foliage—and inconspicuous flowers. The Geebung (such as P. levis & P. virgata) produces fruits that are about the size of a grape and is known to be one of the important Aboriginal foods of Australia, also known to be a favorite among children (who perhaps named them “snottygobbles”). The skin of the fruit is peeled off and disgarded and the pulp around the seed is chewed off the stone—known as a ‘bush lolly’. Some describe the flavor as watermelon or cotton candy. Some of the Geebungs are cultivated as ornamentals, such as the Narrow-Leaved Geebung (P. linearis), which is used for a hedge (responding well to pruning), and for bringing interest to the garden due to its colorful bark. Few studies into the pharmacology of the Geebungs exist, but P. linearis has been found to have an antimicrobial compound produced in its fruit.

#APlantADay #UsefulPlants #MedicinalPlants #Ethnopharm #australia #aboriginal #wildfood #bushtucker #persoonia #geebung #snottygobble #watermelon #cottoncandy #ornamental #horticulture #lolly

By Casliber - Own work (P. laurina)