Warrigal Greens. - Tetragonia tetragonoides

Warrigal Greens

Warrigal Greens are also known as New Zealand spinach, sea spinach, Cook’s cabbage or Botany Bay spinach. If there was ever a survival food with an epic tale of saving souls, then in my opinion Warragal Greens are it!

In fact, we can attribute the settlement of Australia by the first fleet in part to warrigal greens. In 1779, Banks was called to the House of Commons to testify on the suitability of Australia as a colony. As part of his description of the land, he said: “the grass is long and luxuriant and there were some eatable vegetable particularly a sort of wild spinach”.

Tree and plant identification is an important bushcraft skill enabling you to locate valuable resources such as edible or medicinal items and many different materials for practical applications such as friction fire and cordage making.

It’s quite an interesting experience when I visit a new country and do not recognise most of the trees and plants I see. It creates a disturbing feeling of being lost and disconnected from my surroundings. So when I travel to new places I find it fascinating exploring and discovering the native flora and it’s bushcraft uses.

Whilst visiting Australia I've been struck by the variety of different native trees and plants most of which are completely new to me.

After a little filming and research I’ve produced a series of 60 second films showcasing some of the things I’ve learnt. I’ve chosen several plants and trees which seem to be a very common sight on the east coast of Australia including a few of particular interest to me.