Bull Rush
Typha Orientalis
In the stream bed of Bonny Boy Gully you will see plants commonly known as Bull Rush or Cumbungi. They are native to Australia, New Zealand, and much of East Asia. It grows on the edges of ponds, lakes, salt marshes, and slow flowing rivers and streams. The male and female flowers are on the same stem, with the male flower spike directly above the female flower spike which is cylindrical and brown.
It was a very useful food and medicinal plant to the Awabakal people.
In New Zealand it is known as raupō and was also used extensively by the Māori.
The rhizomes (root stalks) were cooked and eaten, while the flowers were baked into cakes.
Photo R Miller
Photo Josiah Martin
The leaves were used for the roof and walls of the Māori Hut in the photo above. They could also be used to make canoe sails.