Running Postman
Running Postman
Posted on
I.O. Headquarters Investigative Process
Assists: Melbourne Ops and Agents in the field
Subject: Kennedia prostrata (specimen unknown
at the time of report)
Objective: Specimen I.D. and possible uses
3 Oct 2018
12:44pm – Photo of specimen surfaces; captured by Agent Stacey.
2:38pm – H.O. requests I.D. of specimen.
5 Oct 2018
10:15am – Specimen I.D. provided by Melb Ops Lead, Agent Rachelle.
Biological Name: Kennedia prostrata
Common Name: Running Postman
Family: Fabaceae
Origin: Southern Australia, coastal plant; ground cover/runner.
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Irrigation: Drought tolerant once established
Frost: Damaged by Frost
Soil: Well-drained
Flower Color: Red
Flower Time: Spring-early Summer
Height: 6-10′
Propagation: Pour boiling water over seed
and soak overnight. Drench seed with a fungicide
to prevent “damping off”. Seed usually germinates 12-30 days after sowing.
Initial research source: australianplants.com; id=1554
7 Oct 2018
9:18am – Further research at H.O. commences.
10:18am – H.O. research indicates that Kennedia prostrata is considered a bushtucker plant. The flower nectar and leaves can be consumed; other parts of the plant can be used to produce twine, a binding material.
10:23am – Further research indicates that the leaves can be infused for tea, producing a liquorice flavour brew, the stems can be used to make twine and the nectar from the flower, a sweetener; sweet drink or salad garnish.
Source: potn.com; edible plants
Source: forgottenfoods.com.au; 2075111-bushfood-plants
Source: goodlifepermaculture.com.au; ten-tasmanian-bush-food-plants
Source: sgaonline.org.au; bushfoods-info
Source: en.wikipedia.org; Kennedia_prostrata
11:18am – Lead Agent Emily – professional bush tucker experimenter will gather Kennedia prostrata specimens to taste the nectar, brew a tea from the leaves and produce some twine.
Oct 9 2018
8:00am – No contact from Lead Agent Emily. Research may be more extensive than originally thought. We are worried.
Oct 10 2018
5:14am – Lead Agent Emily reports in. She is alive; relief.
Colloquial Verbatim: Well the Kennedia nectar was a bust – there’s only enough for a bee. I was excited about liquorice flavoured tea but it tastes to me like dirty old kettle water.
Source: http://www.sercul.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/BushTuckerFactSheet_ScarletRunner.pdf
Oct 11 2018
Conclusion Report
3:30pm – Kennedia prostrata flower nectar conclusion: Our tastebuds have definitely grown fonder of sweets. The nectar is sweet in small amounts and we will have to harvest lots to get the same level of flavour we are now used to.
Kennedia prostrata leaf tea conclusion: May need more leaves to produce liquorice flavour or a different steeping method and temperature of water. Many opportunities to test this out but the thought of tasting “dirty old kettle water” again is not appealing to anyone at H.O.; external operations or to our Agents out in field.
Kennedia prostrata stem conclusion: more patience required to weave twine.
