ABORIGINAL USE OF FUNGI
SCIENCE
choirmyces aboriginum
This type of fungi is found in dry areas of South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. It is a traditional, native food also used as source of water. It was either eaten raw or cooked. The Aborigines cooked it in hot sand and ashes.
Laccocephalum mylittae ( Polyporus mylittae)
The Laccocephalum mylittae is also called the Native Bread and is found underground. This was also either eaten raw or cooked and was describes as it tasting like boiled rice. Now because this was found underground this was pretty hard to find so when the Aborigines were walking they would always walk with a stick and smell the end of their stick to see if the Native bread was there or usually find it by smell as it has a very strong smell.
Pisolithus sp
This fungi has quite a lot of uses. Once the plant is fully grown inside it has powdery spores. The powdery spores are sometimes used for decoration such as paintings. As this plant gets older the powdery spores start turning a little tarry and sticky. With this sticky substance it is used to treat wounds. If they are really tiny and it is and emergency it may be eaten.
Mycoclelandia bulundari
This fungi has many uses. When cooked in hot sand and ashes, it has a strong mushroom taste. It is also medicine on sore eyes. To help sore eyes get the fluid from the Mycoclelandia bulundari and pour on sore eyes. Also when scrubbed on armpits prevents hair from growing.
Pycnoporus sp
This fungi grows on dead wood and is orange- reddish. there are two types of this species, both look quite similar. one is an antibiotic and the other help with mouth problems. When sucked on it, it cures the mouth problem such as sore lips. A man in Canberra had an small ulcer and he had heard about this plant. He tried it and soon it had disappeared.
references
http://www.anbg.gov.au/fungi/aboriginal.html
Images from google