geebung

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

or Geebong


n.

aboriginal name for the fruit of various species of the tree Persoonia, and also for the tree itself, N.O. Proteaceae.

1827. P. Cunningham, `Two Years in New South Wales,' vol. i.p. 221:

«The jibbong is another tasteless fruit, as well as the fivecorners, much relished by children.»

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition, p. 478:

«We gathered and ate a great quantity of gibong (the ripe fruitof Persoonia falcata).»

1852. G. C. Mundy, `Our Antipodes,' c. vi,. p. 176, 3rdedition 1855:

«The geebung, a native plum, very woolly and tasteless.»

1885. R. M. Praed, `Australian Life,' p. 113:

«We gathered the wild raspberries, and mingling them withgeebongs and scrub berries, set forth a dessert.»

1885. Rolf Boldrewood, `Robbery under Arms,' p. 255:

«You won't turn a five-corner into a quince, or a geebung intoan orange.»

1889. J. M. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants,' p. 584:

«A `geebung' (the name given to the fruits of Persoonias,and hence to the trees themselves).»