‘TURTUJARTI’ DESERT WALNUT BROAD LEAVED EMU APPLE Owenia reticulata Seeds

Desert walnut is a tree growing from 4 14 metres tall The native walnut varies wildly in size depending on its habitat It prefers stony flatlands and seasonally moist spinifex grasslands, where it develops an erect, rounded growth habit covered in dull green leaves Native walnut shares much of its range with desert oak

The outer bark is often thick and cork like

The indigenous inhabitants of the land knew the nuts as a food source Ngarlka and the walnut trees themselves as Turtujarti

Bush Food: The tree is harvested from the wild for its edible seed and sap, which are eaten locally The seed is usually roasted

A sap like liquid is obtained from the tree, Called ‘marnta’, it is somewhat reminiscent of golden syrup The syrup takes on a salty flavour upon crystallizing

Bush Medicine: The Leaves and young stems heated then crushed and soaked in water The resulting liquid is then thickened and used as a poultice Seeds were roasted and extracted, then used to rub on external sores

Germination: pre treatment soak