Native Plants, Medicines and Foods

Explore the ecology of Victoria and Australia through both Indigenous knowledge and modern science. From cultural burning and aquaculture to colonisation and ecosystem decline, this article reveals how Traditional Owners shaped landscapes for thousands of years and how restoration efforts are now working to heal Country.

Explore the native vegetation of Victoria, from volcanic grasslands and wetlands to forests and coastal ecosystems. This article reveals how Indigenous land management, including cultural burning, sustained these landscapes for thousands of years—and how colonisation transformed them. Discover the science, history, and revival of Country through ecology and Traditional Knowledge.

Explore Indigenous botany in Australia, where native plants are used for food, medicine, and cultural lore. From yam daisy and eucalyptus to grasslands and waterways, this article reveals how Australian Indigenous knowledge systems managed ecosystems sustainably for thousands of years.

Explore Indigenous aquaculture and biodiversity in Victoria and Australia, where eel systems, wetlands, and seasonal knowledge created some of the world’s oldest sustainable food systems. From Budj Bim to Lake Connewarre, this article reveals how Traditional Owners managed ecosystems through engineering, law, and deep ecological knowledge.

Explore conservation biology in Australia through both science and Indigenous knowledge systems. From cultural burning and aquaculture to modern biodiversity protection, this article reveals how Traditional Owners have sustained ecosystems for thousands of years and how these practices are shaping the future of Country.

Discover how algae supported Indigenous food systems, water health, and ecology in Victoria—and how colonisation disrupted these vital aquatic networks.

Explore fungi in Victoria and Australia through Indigenous knowledge and ecological science. From bush medicine and fire-carrying fungi to mycorrhizal networks and ecosystem health, this article reveals how fungi sustain life, connect Country, and play a vital role in environmental change and restoration.

Discover how native birds spread seeds across Country through endozoochory, shaping forests, wetlands, grasslands, and biodiversity across Victoria for thousands of years.

Explore how Indigenous peoples of Victoria used native grasses for weaving, tools, and food—revealing deep ecological knowledge and sustainable land management on Country.

Explore native flowers of Victoria—wattles, lilies, orchids, and more—revealing Indigenous knowledge of food, medicine, ceremony, and seasonal cycles on Country.

Native plants of Victoria—from murnong and eucalyptus to wattles and grasses—revealing Indigenous knowledge of food, medicine, ecology, and healing with Country.

Explore how wattles sustained Indigenous life in Victoria—providing food, medicine, tools, and seasonal knowledge across Wadawurrung and Kulin Nations Country.

xplore she-oak and bull-oak trees in Victoria—Indigenous medicine, ceremonial smoke, tools, and ecological knowledge shaping Country across Kulin Nations.

Explore gum trees in Victoria—eucalyptus medicine, tools, shelter, and ceremony—revealing deep Indigenous knowledge and connection to Country across Kulin Nations.

Explore how bird guano shaped ecosystems in Victoria—Indigenous knowledge, nutrient cycles, and the connection between birds, soil, water, and cultural life on Country.

Explore the native quandong in Victoria—Indigenous food, medicine, trade, and cultural meaning across Wadawurrung and western plains Country.

Bearded Heath in Victoria—Indigenous coastal food, medicine, and seasonal knowledge, connecting dunes, sea, and cultural life on Country.

Explore information on Pigface in Victoria—Indigenous coastal food, healing plant, and ecological knowledge connecting dunes, sea, and cultural life on Country.

Nardoo and aquatic foods of Victoria—Indigenous wetland systems, water knowledge, and cultural practices sustaining life across Wadawurrung and Yorta Yorta Country.

Grass trees in Victoria—Indigenous uses, fire ecology, and cultural knowledge across Wadawurrung, Wurundjeri, and Gunditjmara Country.

Discover the Indigenous uses, ecological importance, and cultural meaning of the Banksia plant across Victoria and Australia. Explore how Banksia connects to fire regeneration, pollinators, seasonal knowledge, healing practices, and Indigenous relationships with Country throughout Wadawurrung and Kulin Nations landscapes.

Explore the Indigenous knowledge, ecology, and cultural significance of Old Man’s Beard in Victoria. Learn how this hanging forest lichen connects to Indigenous seasonal knowledge, healing practices, air quality, biodiversity, and the living systems of Country across Wadawurrung and Kulin Nations landscapes.

Indigenous plant medicine in Victoria—healing plants, smoke practices, and cultural knowledge across Wadawurrung, Wurundjeri, and Gunditjmara Country.

Indigenous cooking of meats and fish in Victoria—kangaroo, emu, eels, and shellfish— and hunting knowledge, aquaculture, and cultural food systems.

Native foods of Victoria—murnong, eels, bush fruits, and seasonal knowledge—revealing Indigenous food systems, sustainability, and connection to Country.

Research about Native bees and honey in Victoria—Indigenous knowledge, sugarbag harvesting, pollination science, and cultural connections across Wadawurrung and other Nations.

Native breads of Victoria—kangaroo grass, wattleseed, and seed flours—revealing Indigenous agriculture, nutrition, and cultural knowledge systems.

Native berries of Victoria—bushfoods, medicinal uses, and seasonal knowledge across Indigenous communities, revealing nutrition, ecology, and cultural continuity.

Discover how Indigenous communities across Victoria hunted, fished, smoked, roasted, and shared food through sophisticated ecological knowledge systems developed over thousands of years.

Indigenous uses of tree bark in Victoria—medicine, canoes, shelters, and ceremony—revealing deep ecological knowledge across Wadawurrung and Kulin Nations.

Explore Native Mint (Mentha australis), a traditional Indigenous medicinal plant used across Victoria and Australia for healing and balance. From teas and steam therapy to smoke cleansing, this plant reflects deep botanical knowledge and connection to Country.

Explore Native Raspberry (Rubus parvifolius), a traditional Indigenous bush food of Victoria and Australia. Rich in nutrients and cultural meaning, this article reveals how the plant provided food, medicine, and ecological regeneration—linking seasonal harvest, healing practices, and the deep knowledge of Country.

Mushrooms in Victoria—Indigenous knowledge, fungi ecology, and cultural science—revealing their role in soil health, seasons, and connection to Country.

Explore an article on Murnong (yam daisy) in Victoria—Indigenous agriculture, ecological management, and cultural knowledge systems across Wadawurrung and Kulin Nations.

Discover information about Native Leek (Bulbine bulbosa) in Victoria—Indigenous food, fire ecology, and healing uses across Wadawurrung and Kulin Nations.

Native Cherry (Exocarpos cupressiformis) in Victoria—Indigenous food, ecology, and seasonal knowledge across Wadawurrung and Kulin Nations.

Native vegetables of Victoria—murnong, bulrush, bracken, and lilies—revealing Indigenous food systems, ecology, and women’s cultural knowledge.

Seaweed in Victoria—Indigenous coastal knowledge, kelp technology, and marine ecology across Wadawurrung, Gunditjmara, and Bunurong Country.

Saltbush in Victoria—Indigenous food, medicine, and ecological knowledge—revealing its role in soil health, climate resilience, and cultural renewal

Kangaroo Apple in Victoria—Indigenous medicine, women’s knowledge, and its role in healing, fertility, and cultural science across Country.

Warrigal Cabbage in Victoria—Indigenous coastal greens, nutrition, and cultural knowledge across Wadawurrung and coastal Nations.

Discover how colonisation transformed Victoria’s native grasslands, wetlands, and forests, pushing many Indigenous food and medicinal plants toward extinction.