Colonial use Bush tucker

billardiera scandens

bush tucker provided source of nutrition non-indigenous colonial settlers, supplementing meager rations. however, bushfoods considered inferior colonists unfamiliar new land s food ingredients, preferring familiar foods homelands.

in 19th century english botanist, j.d. hooker, writing of australian plants in flora of tasmania, remarked although eatable, not fit eat . in 1889, botanist joseph maiden reiterated sentiment comment on native food plants nothing boast of eatables. first monograph published on flora of australia reported lack of edible plants on first page, presented billardiera scandens as, ... wild eatable fruit of country .

this became accepted view of australian native food plants until late 20th century. thought these assessments result of encountering strong flavours not suitable out-of-hand eating, these strong flavours highly regarded culinary use.

the australian native plant food developed , cropped on large scale macadamia nut, first small-scale commercial plantation being planted in australia in 1880s. subsequently, hawaii macadamia commercially developed greatest extent stock imported australia.