Knowledge cards – Australian Medicinal & Edible Plants

In order to make knowledge about Australia’s unique medicinal and health-promoting plants more accessible, volunteers from the IPHA and the Wanaruah Local Aboriginal Council collaborated to create this deck of Knowledge Cards.

Our goal is to educate people about these amazing plants, so that they will learn to recognize and respect these plants in the wild – and nurture them in their gardens.

All proceeds from sales of the knowledge cards by IPHA are used to provide grant funding for ongoing research.

Each deck consists of a set of cards with 71 native Australian plants traditionally used for food and/or medicine, plus one information card.

The first run of card decks was printed in Feb 2022 and they were later reprinted in July 2024.

To DOWNLOAD a complete list of plants included in the deck, please click here

The development of this deck was made possible by the Aboriginal Community Development Fund with the support of the Wanaruah Local Aboriginal Council.

Once developed, the card decks were distributed by the Aboriginal Council members to their community. The IPHA continues to distribute them to our members and to the wider community – as a resource for plant lovers both young and old.

The contents of the cards have been distilled from a broad cultural and scientific knowledge base.

For detailed citations and card references click here

The deck was developed for use as a teaching tool, so that people of all ages and backgrounds can get to know and respect the rich heritage of native Australian medicinal and edible plants.

It is a convenient and accessible resource for plant explorers of all ages. Being compact, it can easily be tucked into a pocket or daypack.

One of our target audiences is students, and the cards can be used in a variety of educational activities.

For some suggested classroom and research activities using the cards, please click here

The IPHA seeks to inspire (and help fund) researchers in Australia and around the world to study this unique flora, and to help enrich the understanding and appreciation of native Australian traditional knowledge. (Hence the proceeds of sales go towards funding further research through IPHA grants.)

We ask everyone to honor these and all the traditional plants of Indigenous Australia, not just for their useful qualities, but as important spiritual connections to the culture, the land and the people of Australia.

Caution!

Do not try to prepare or use any of these plants without having been shown by experienced indigenous plant authorities. Some plants can cause illness or poisoning if prepared improperly or if eaten in large quantities.

These cards are not meant to be used as a resource for food or for medical treatment. IPHA and the publisher are not responsible for any effects or consequences that may result from the use of the information contained in these cards.

Please Remember

All plants growing within Australian national parks are protected. Fruits, flowers, seeds should be left with the plant to ensure that they will be preserved for the future.

Please consider growing your own plants by purchasing them from nurseries and indigenous suppliers.

Example of Cards

Our thanks to all the volunteers who contributed to this project

Writing & research: Kat Bennett, Jen Stroh
Proofing, editing & reviewing: Phil Sheppard, Pat Collins, Andrew Pengelly, Reesa Ryan
Artists: Kat Bennett (Aka K. Dilaj) for the plant illustrations and Rosslyn Thompson for the card & box borders.
Technical assistance: Cerise Bennett as well as to Sam Schauer and Margaret Denholm, our contacts at PrintNinja.
Thanks to Natasha Kellett and to the aboriginal elders and community members who have given their time and support.