Language                                                                  Name

Gamilaraay/Gamilaroi/Kamilaroi (D23)               Baan

Yuwaalaraay (D27):                                                  Baan

Yuwaalayaay (D54):                                                  Baan

Common name:                                            Mistletoe/Snottygobble

Scientific name:                                            Amyema 

The pronunciation of words is in orange next to each word.

Baan  Baarn 

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE

This is a parasite plant, it grows on a tree. 

Brittle leaves, fruit is sticky with one big seed - seeds are light brown

The flesh of the fruit is sticky and slimy - that is where the name snotty gobble comes from, because it looks like snot. 

They look like bridal veils coming from the tree branch. 

They can be very large

Seeds are about size of pumpkin seeds

WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE

Fruit sticky like snot. Referred to as snotty gobbles

WHAT DOES IT TASTE LIKE

Sweet

WHAT DOES IT SMELL LIKE

No much smell from fruit or crushed leaves, a dull fragrance. 

FOOD/MEDICINE

Leaves used for medicine - boil them up and drink the tea

Used for blood pressure. Traditional food

They are a good source of vitamin C

It can have many types of medicine because it takes on the medicine of the tree it is attached to 

WHERE IS IT GROWING

Found throughout the Border River and Gwydir catchment

Where ever you find the Mistletoe Bird is found you find Baan. On the ridges, on sandy country, on river country

WHAT IS IT’S CHARACTER

They are parasites that attach themselves to larger trees.

If it attaches itself to a medicine tree it will take on the medicinal characteristics of that tree

As a kid snooty gobble was one of the main food sources because it was around the river.

Baan has a connection to the spirit children

CONNECTION TO SEASON

Flowering in Nov/Dec

Plant found all year round

CONNECTION TO PEOPLE

Old people use it for medicine

Traditional food

This is known to be a love plant. Standing around it for long periods the spirit babies, that live in the mistletoe, can do their thing. 

CONNECTION TO COUNTRY

Placename – Baanbaa, over near Narrabri = place of baan

CONNECTION TO OTHER PLANTS/ANIMALS

Requires another tree to grow on. Any tree

Baan Djil is the name for the Mistletoe Bird (sp)

The Mistletoe Bird spreads the plant by defecating the seed, with the sticky coating, onto a branch where it dries like cement and is then stuck to the tree where it grows. 

CONNECTION TO ASTROLOGY

Management

Always leave some fruit there - don't take all the fruit