Wp/nys/Biboolboorn (Paperbark)

Paperbark tree bark

The English name paperbark for the biboolboorn comes from the very thin sheets of bark that peel off the trunk, as thin as paper. Other Noongar names are yowarl wer yiembak, or (from the Minang or Menang people) yourl or yorral borrna. Scientifically, paperbarks are members of the genus Melaleuca. Most melaleucas are endemic to Australia. The south-west of Western Australia has the greatest density of species.

Uses

Long strips of the bark are used as roofing for mia-mias (shelters) wer smaller pieces can be used to carry water or to hold food. The Biboolboorn can also be used to cook meat dishes, such as kweeyar (frogs), djildjit (fish) or Yonga (Grey Kangaroo). The meats are wrapped in the bark prior to being placed il hot coals or in an earth oven. The Biboolboorn can also be tightly rolled into long pieces wer be set alight in which the high oil content of the bark keeps the torch smouldering. The Biboolboorn can also be used for medicinal purposes, as the leaves can sucked, chewed, crushed wer inhaled to treat head colds wer flu. Green leaves from the Biboolboorn can be used in a Smoking Ceremony. Tea can also be made from the Biboolboorn djet by soaking the leaves in boiling water. The Biboolboorn flowers can also be steeped in cold water to make an infusion of nectar or the nectar can be sucked directly from the flower. The Biboolboorn flowers usually around Djeran season (April-May).

• To start a karlak (fire)
• For waterproofing a Mia Mia
• You can you use it as toilet paper
• It can be used to wrap yira newborn babies in a yandi
• You can cook with it (steaming)
• You can draw or write il it with Kop (Charcoal)

Species in Noongar Boodjarak

• Melaleuca glauca, the Albany bottlebrush. Endemic to the south west of Western Australia.
• Melaleuca lanceolata, the Rottnest tea tree (Wadjemup (Rottnest Island)), black paperbark, moonah. Occurs in yennar states except NT wer Tasmania.