DESIGN RESEARCH
NATIVE INDIGENOUS GRASSLAND Note of Credit: The following research components were divided into separate categories, of which members of the group prioritized their research on, however it is not limited to these factors. There were many overlapping points and as such research was ultimately conducted as a group. Here are the prioritized specifications-- Site context (Joo Liew), Grassland conditions (Yangfan Pan), Traditions (Yukyee Chan). Grassland Conditions in Victoria are mostly understorey, which does not support a typical shrub layer. Scattered shrubs appear in deeper soils, drainage lines or close to rocky outcrops. The ground layer is predominantly perennial, mostly tufted or tussock-forming grasses: Kangaroo Grass / Tussock Grass / Spear Grass / Wallaby Grass / Windmill Grass These are the main grasses for which we will account for. Supporting grasses are including rhizomatous or stoloniferous species (Weeping Grass) and a few annuals (Blown Grass). In most areas the grasses are accompanied by a wide range of perennial and annual herbs: Wood-sorrel, bindweed, sundew, woodruff, everlasting, bidgee-widgee, lobelia, trigger plant, blue devil), sedges (Carex, Schoenus), lilies (mat-rush, chocolate lily, milkmaids, early nancy) and small shrubs (rice-flower, sida, astroloma, peas). Majority of the food eaten by the Indigenous were derived from plants; such as root vegetables, greens, fruits and seeds. Women were often the gatherers whilst men were the hunters.
Roots were typically available all year round an imported foods were replanted. The regular lining of the soil, thinning out the collection of planted clumps and providing fertiliser is still similar to modern day garderning practices. In the southern parts of Australia, akin to the Maoris of New Zealand, the Australians used the long roots (rhizomes) of Bracken Fern, (Pteridium esculentum) from which they chewed or beat out a sticky starch. Native lilies with small tuberous roots which were collected for food Early Nancy (Wurmbea dioica), Chocolate Lily (Dichopogon strictus) and Milkmaids (Burchardia umbellata) for example. Murnong or Yam-daisy (Microseris lanceolata) was a plentiful and favourite food. Along the MurrayDarling river system, cumbungi or Bulrush (Typha spp.) provided much nourishment, as did Water Ribbons (Triglochin procera), and Marsh Club-rush (Bolboschoenus medianus), which has hard walnutsized tubers. Most southern fruits were small, including those of the Heath Family (Epacridaceae) and Dillon Bush (Nitraria billardieri), which bears heavy crops of red fruits which were much liked.
Plantations to Amenities and Benefits The use of plants by the Indigenous. Plants were used for many other things besides food. The long leaves of sedges, rushes and lilies were collected to make baskets and mats and soaked and beaten to free the fibres to make string. The bark of trees made buckets, dishes and shields; River Red-gum bark was particularly good for making canoes and old scarred ‘canoe trees’ can still be seen. Some rice-flower shrubs (Pimelea spp.) have strong fibres used by the Aborigines to make fine nets in which to collect Bogong Moths to eat. Medicines also came from plants native mints (Mentha spp.) were remedies for coughs and colds, and the gum from gumtrees, which is rich in tannin, was used for burns. 7
