Bush Tucker and Bush Medicine
around Coober Pedy
Kalaya
Kalaya
Enchylaena tomentosa Ruby Saltbush
Kalaya, Ruby Saltbush (Enchylaena tomentosa), or Emu Bush as it is also known, is a low shrub with small succulent leaves. The flowers are too small to see with the naked eye, but the yellow, orange or red berries are small and juicy. The plant fruits all year round, however the most prolific fruiting is after winter rains. It is a common plant that can be found all through the far north of South Australia, in both sandhill and breakaway country. Kalaya fruit is often eaten by Emus.
The fruit make a sweet, juicy snack food when eaten raw. They are also soaked in water to make a sweet drink, or dried and reconstituted later. A red dye can be made from the berries. |