Australian Native Food Plants: A Guide to Edible Bush Foods

A Native Edible Garden

Australia is home to hundreds of edible native plants, collectively known as bush foods or bush tucker plants. These Australian native food plants have been used by Indigenous Australians for thousands of years and today are increasingly valued by gardeners, chefs, and home growers for their unique flavours, nutritional benefits, and adaptability to Australian conditions.

You’ve probably already encountered some native bush foods. Macadamia nuts, lemon myrtle, finger limes, Davidson’s plums and warrigal greens are now widely used in cooking and are becoming easier to grow in home gardens.

If you’re looking for a productive, low-maintenance garden, a native edible garden is well worth considering. Many Australian edible plants require little water once established, are naturally suited to local conditions, and can provide fruit, herbs, spices, leafy greens and nuts throughout the year.

From leafy vegetables such as Warrigal Greens (Tetragonia tetragonioides), to native citrus including Finger Lime (Citrus australasica) and Native Lime (Microcitrus australis), through to productive nut trees such as Macadamia, there is a bush tucker plant suitable for almost every Australian climate.

Many species are highly ornamental as well as productive, making them valuable additions to both edible gardens and landscape plantings. With minimal fertiliser requirements and a reputation for being nutrient-rich, Australian native food plants are becoming increasingly popular with home gardeners.

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What Are Bush Foods?

Bush tucker derives its name from the food that was readily available growing naturally in the bush. The local knowledge of which foods were edible was passed down from generation to generation, with elders acting as teachers. Over recent years, it’s been realised what an underused resource naturally growing foods are.

Some foods were used for medicinal purposes. Today, these foods are used in industry to provide new and interesting flavours and help develop unique Australian recipes and cuisine.

Why Grow Australian Native Food Plants?

Growing bush tucker plants offers a number of advantages:

• Adapted to Australian conditions.
• Often drought tolerant once established.
• Attractive to birds, pollinators and wildlife.
• Many have low fertiliser requirements.
• Unique flavours not found in traditional food crops.
• Suitable for productive and ornamental gardens.
• A great way to incorporate native biodiversity into the landscape.

Australian Native Food Plants List

Australian bush foods include native fruits, berries, nuts, leafy vegetables, herbs, spices, climbers and groundcovers. The following list includes more than 50 Australian native food plants suitable for home gardens and food production.

Native Fruits and Berries

Finger Lime, Davidson’s Plum, Illawarra Plum, Midyim Berry, Muntries, Native Raspberry, Quandong, Kakadu Plum, Burdekin Plum, Cedar Bay Cherry, Beach Cherry and many others.

Native Herbs and Spices

Lemon Myrtle, Anise Myrtle, Cinnamon Myrtle, Mountain Pepper, Native Thyme, Native Oregano, River Mint and Strawberry Gum.

Native Leafy Greens and Vegetables

Warrigal Greens, Old Man Saltbush, Native Leek, Chocolate Lily and Bungwall.

Native Nuts and Seeds

Macadamia, Bunya Pine, Peanut Tree and Candlenut.

Native Food Trees, Shrubs and Climbers

Many Australian native food plants can be incorporated into ornamental gardens as screening plants, feature trees, hedges, groundcovers and climbers while also producing edible harvests.

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Popular Bush Tucker Plants You Can Grow

This list shows some of the more popular Australian food plant by height as well as use, and is useful for landscape gardeners and home gardeners alike when developing a planting scheme.

Small Trees and Large Shrubs

Anise Myrtle (Syzygium anisatum) – Leaf
Used fresh or dried to flavour teas, desserts, sauces.

Illawarra Plum (Podocarpus elatus) – Fruit
Sweet purple fruit used in jams, chutneys, sauces. (M&F)

Small-leaved Tamarind (Diploglottis campbellii) – Fruit
Tangy fruit eaten fresh or used in beverages.

Davidson’s Plum (Davidsonia jerseyiana) – Fruit
Tart fruit ideal for jams, sauces, wines, desserts.

Strawberry Gum (Eucalyptus olida) – Leaf
Ground leaf used to flavour desserts, drinks, spice blends.

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Medium Shrubs (up to 3m)

Finger Lime (Citrus australasica) – Fruit
Citrus pearls used in seafood, salads, cocktails, desserts.

Lemon Myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) – Leaf
Popular flavouring for teas, seafood, desserts, seasonings.

Mountain Pepper (Tasmannia lanceolata) – Leaf
Peppery leaves used as a spice and seasoning. (M&F)

Old Man Saltbush (Atriplex nummularia) – Leaf
Salty leaves used fresh, cooked, or as seasoning.

Cinnamon Myrtle (Backhousia myrtifolia) – Leaf
Leaves impart cinnamon notes to baking and beverages.

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Small Shrubs (up to 1.5m)

Geraldton Wax (Chamelaucium uncinatum) – Leaf/Flower
Aromatic leaves and flowers used in teas and garnishes.

Midyim (Austromyrtus tenuifolia) – Fruit
Sweet spotted berries eaten fresh or in desserts.

Native Ginger (Alpinia caerulea) – Leaf/Rhizome
Leaves wrap foods; rhizomes add ginger-like flavour.

Native Oregano (Prostanthera rotundifolia) – Leaf
Aromatic leaves used similarly to Mediterranean oregano.

Native Thyme (Prostanthera incisa) – Leaf
Leaves used to flavour meats, vegetables, and sauces.

Lemon-scented Myrtle (Darwinia citriodora) – Leaf
Leaves used for herbal teas and citrus flavouring.

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Herbs and Groundcovers

Muntries (Kunzea pomifera) – Fruit
Sweet apple-flavoured berries eaten fresh or preserved.

River Mint (Mentha australis) – Leaf
Used in teas, salads, sauces, and desserts.

Sea Celery (Apium prostratum) – Leaf/Stem
Salty celery flavour for soups, seafood, and stocks.

Vanilla Lily (Arthropodium milleflorum) – Tuber
Tubers roasted or cooked as a starchy vegetable.

Warrigal Greens (Tetragonia tetragonioides) – Leaf
Cooked like spinach in pies, soups, and sides.

Yam Daisy (Microseris scapigera) – Tap Root
Sweet edible root roasted, baked, or eaten fresh.

Native Lemongrass (Cymbopogon ambiguus) – Stem
Used in herbal teas and citrus-flavoured dishes.

Common Appleberry (Billardiera scandens) – Fruit
Sweet fruits eaten fresh or added to desserts.

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Complete List of Bush Tucker Plants (Alphabetical by Botanical Name)

Below is a consolidated list of 50+ Australian bush tucker species, sorted alphabetically by botanical name, with quick notes on how each can be used. Each species will soon link to a detailed page with growing tips, climate suitability, and harvest advice.

A

Acacia kempeana – Witchetty Grub host
Witchetty grubs from roots eaten raw or roasted as high-protein food.

Acronychia acidula – Lemon Aspen
Tart fruit used in sauces, beverages, desserts, jams, and seafood flavouring.

Antidesma bunius – Herbert River Cherry
Juicy fruits eaten fresh, made into jams, wines, and tangy preserves.

Araucaria bidwillii – Bunya Pine
Large nuts roasted, boiled, or ground into flour for baking.

Arthropodium strictum – Chocolate Lily
Edible tubers with mild chocolate flavour, roasted or eaten raw.

Atriplex nummularia – Old Man Saltbush
Salty leaves used as spinach substitute, seasoning, or meat accompaniment.

Austromyrtus dulcis – Midyim
Small sweet berries eaten fresh, in desserts, or dried.

Austromyrtus tenuifolia – Midginberry
Tangy berries used in jams, sauces, or eaten fresh.

B

Backhousia citriodora – Lemon Myrtle
Highly aromatic leaves used in teas, desserts, sauces, and seasoning.

Backhousia myrtifolia – Cinnamon Myrtle
Leaves used as warm spice in desserts, teas, and baked goods.

Billardiera mutabilis – Common Appleberry
Sweet fruits eaten fresh or used in desserts and preserves.

Billardiera scandens – Apple Berry
Soft sweet fruits eaten fresh or added to desserts and jams.

Breynia oblongifolia – Coffee Bush
Sweet fruits eaten fresh; seeds reportedly roasted as coffee substitute.

Bulbine bulbosa – Native Leek
Bulbs roasted or cooked, mild onion flavour in savoury dishes.

Carpobrotus glaucescens – Pigface
Salty fruits and leaves eaten fresh, in salads, or chutneys.

Chamelaucium uncinatum – Geraldton Wax
Flowers occasionally used as edible garnish, subtle citrus flavour.

Citrus australasica – Finger Lime
Citrus pearls used in seafood, drinks, desserts, and garnishing.

D – K

Davidsonia pruriens – Davidson’s Plum
Very tart fruit for sauces, jams, syrups, and desserts.

Dillenia alata – Red Beech
Acidic fruit used in preserves, chutneys, and traditional dishes.

Diploglottis campbellii – Small-Leaved Tamarind
Tangy pulp used in drinks, sauces, chutneys, and desserts.

Elaeagnus triflora – Millaa Millaa Vine
Small fruits eaten fresh or used in preserves and flavouring.

Elaeocarpus grandis – Blue Quandong
Fleshy fruits used in jams, sauces, and eaten fresh.

Eucalyptus dalveenica – Fruit Salad Tree
Leaves reportedly aromatic; limited culinary use, sometimes infused.

Eucalyptus olida – Strawberry Gum
Leaves used as flavouring in desserts, teas, and fruit dishes.

Eupomatia laurina – Native Guava
Aromatic fruits eaten fresh or used in desserts and sauces.

Eustrephus latifolius – Wombat Berry
Tuberous roots eaten roasted; fruits occasionally consumed fresh.

Ficus pleurocarpa – Banana Fig
Sweet figs eaten fresh or dried, used in desserts.

Ficus racemosa – Cluster Fig
Fruits eaten fresh or cooked; sometimes used in traditional medicine.

Kunzea pomifera – Muntries
Apple-like berries eaten fresh, dried, or used in sauces and baking.

L – M

Macadamia integrifolia – Macadamia Nut
Premium nuts eaten raw, roasted, or used in baking and confectionery.

Mentha australis – River Mint
Fresh leaves used in teas, salads, sauces, and seasoning.

Microcitrus australis – Native Lime
Small citrus fruits used similarly to finger limes in cooking.

Morinda citrifolia – Cheese Fruit
Strong-flavoured fruit used medicinally, juices, or fermented preparations.

Musa banksii – Native Banana
Small bananas eaten fresh or cooked when fully ripe.

P – T

Podocarpus elatus – Illawarra Plum
Dark fruits used in jams, sauces, chutneys, and beverages.

Pleiogynium solandri – Burdekin Plum
Astringent fruit improved by processing into jams or sauces.

Prostanthera incisa – Native Thyme
Aromatic leaves used as herb in savoury dishes and teas.

Prostanthera rotundifolia – Native Oregano
Leaves used as oregano substitute in cooking and seasoning.

Rubus parvifolius – Native Raspberry
Small berries eaten fresh or used in desserts and jams.

Rubus rosifolius – Native Thornless Raspberry
Sweet berries for fresh eating, desserts, and preserves.

Santalum acuminatum – Quandong/Desert Peach
Classic bush fruit for pies, jams, sauces, and sweet dishes.

Solanum centrale – Bush Tomato/Kutjera
Savory dried fruit used in spice blends, rubs, and sauces.

Sterculia quadrifida – Peanut Tree
Seeds eaten raw or roasted; taste similar to peanuts.

Syzygium anisatum – Anise Myrtle
Leaves used as liquorice-flavoured spice in desserts and teas.

Syzygium erythrocalyx – Daintree Satinash
Edible fruits used fresh or in preserves and flavouring.

Syzygium luehmannii – Cherry Satinash
Crunchy berries used in jams, sauces, and fresh eating.

Tasmannia lanceolata – Mountain Pepper
Berries and leaves used as spicy seasoning or pepper substitute.

Terminalia carpentariae – Green Plum
Tart fresh fruit used in salads, sauces, or eaten raw.

Terminalia ferdinandiana – Kakadu Plum
Extremely high vitamin C fruit used in sauces, powders, and desserts.

Tetragonia tetragonioides – Warrigal Greens
Leafy green cooked like spinach; must be blanched before eating.

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Are All Bush Foods Safe to Eat?

Some bush foods need to be cooked or prepared in a specific manner to make them edible and safe to eat. Others can only be eaten in moderation, so always consult with your supplier before eating any bush foods.

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Growing Bush Tucker Plants at Home

Bush tucker plants are available for sale online from specialist nurseries. Growing and care often means trying to mimic the natural environment where these plants originally come from.

Good drainage and full sun are often prerequisites, however individual species will require little research to be grown successfully.

Start with easy winners like lemon myrtle, muntries, warrigal greens, or finger limes, and gradually expand your native edible garden as you gain confidence.

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Start Your Native Edible Garden Today

Whether you’re after fragrant herbs, tart citrus, sweet berries, nut trees, or leafy greens, Australia’s bush tucker plants offer an incredible range of flavours, textures, and nutritional benefits—all while supporting native biodiversity and requiring minimal inputs.

Explore our detailed species guides for growing tips, climate zones, harvest times, and culinary uses for each bush tucker plant.

WHERE TO BUY

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