Scientific Name: Flagellaria Indica
Common Name: Supplejack
Turrbal Name: Yur’ol (Watson, 1944)
Indigenous Use
Vine used as a rope, or cane after peeling the outer bark to the green. Very important for tree climbing. Also woven into fish traps and nets. The cord from the vine was used in Moreton Bay for tying together the bunched ends of bark canoes. Sap from the tips of the young stem squeezed into eyes to relieve soreness.
When to Use
The vine, bark and sap were available all year round.
Identification
Leaves: The leaves of Flagellaria indica, commonly known as Whip Vine or False Rattan, are large, linear to lanceolate, and can grow up to 30 cm in length and 2-4 cm in width. They are arranged alternately along the stem and have a characteristic tendril-like tip, which helps the plant climb (Australian National Botanic Gardens, 2024; Plants of the World Online, 2024).
Bark: The stems of Flagellaria indica are slender, wiry, and capable of climbing. They can reach lengths of up to 10 meters. The stems are usually green and can become woody with age, aiding the plant in supporting itself as it grows through vegetation (Australian National Botanic Gardens, 2024).
Flowers: The flowers of Flagellaria indica are small, white to greenish, and are borne in large, branched inflorescences. Each flower has six tepals and measures about 3-5 mm in diameter. Flowering typically occurs during the warmer months (Plants of the World Online, 2024).
Fruit: The fruit of Flagellaria indica is a small, globular berry, approximately 6-8 mm in diameter. The berries turn from green to red as they ripen and contain one to three seeds. The fruiting period is usually in late summer to early autumn (Australian National Botanic Gardens, 2024; Floridata, 2024).
Ecosystems
Found in the below ecosystem/s.
Rainforests: Sub-tropical rainforests usually consist of three strata of trees with up to 60 species making up the canopy, many with large leaves. Palms and strangler figs are common and the undergrowth is luxuriant with many epiphytic or terrestrial ferns and orchids and abundant large climbers of many species. In Queensland, rainforests can be found in well-known locations like the Daintree Rainforest, Lamington National Park, and Mary Caincross Park.
References
Australian National Botanic Gardens (2024). Flagellaria indica. Available at: https://www.anbg.gov.au/flagellaria-indica [Accessed 24 June 2024].
Plants of the World Online (2024). Flagellaria indica. Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid
.org:names:931194-1 [Accessed 24 June 2024].
Floridata (2024). Flagellaria indica. Available at: https://www.floridata.com/Plants/Flagellariaceae/Flagellaria-indica/815 [Accessed 24 June 2024].
Leiper, Glen, Muteroo: Plant use by Australian Aboriginal People. Eagleby South State School, Brisbane
Levitt, Duclie, Plants and People: Aboiriginal Used of Plants on Groote Eylandt. Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies, Canberra. 1981
Leiper, G., Glazebrook, J., Cox, D., & Rathie, K., 2008. Mountain to Mangroves: A Field Guide to the Native Plants of South-east Queensland. Logan River Branch, Society for Growing Australian Plants.
Watson, F.J., Vocabularies of Four Representative Tribes of South Eastern Queensland. Supplement to the Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia. (Queensland), No 34 Vol XLVIII Brisbane