GEEBUNGS IN FRED CATERSON RESERVE
by Jennifer Farrer
The main walking track at Fred Caterson Reserve is called The Geebung Track. This name comes from the common name of the Persoonia genus. There are four species found at Fred Caterson.
The most common is Persoonia linearis or the Narrow-leaf Geebung. This is a very attractive plant with fine foliage and a dark scaly bark. It is quite slow growing, so some of the apparently small trees growing in the reserve are actually quite old.
The other species found in the reserve are Persoonia levis the Broad-leaf Geebung, Persoonia lanceolata the Lance-leaf Geebung and Persoonia hirsuta the Hairy Geebung. This last species is classified as rare.
The Geebungs, as their common names imply have different leaf forms, the common features are the flowers and fruit.
The flowers appear in early summer They are a bright yellow tube which curls open into four segments at the end.
Scientific tests have indicated that the leaves of the Broad-Leaf Geebung have antiseptic properties. You can crush the leaves and form a cleansing lather with some water.
The fruit is an ovoid drupe.
It is only ripe when it falls on the ground. The pulp is eaten after discarding the skin and the seed. It was common practice amongst the Dharug people to leave these fruits for children to gather. There is a high quantity of Vitamin C in the fruit.
The bark of the Narrow-leaf Geebung and the Broad-leaf Geebung can be used as an antiseptic poultice for cuts and abrasions.