irriakura

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

n.


an aboriginal name for the tubersof Cyperus rotundus, Linn., N.O. Cyperaceae,adopted by white men in Central Australia.

1896. E. C. Stirling, `Home Expedition in CentralAustralia,' Anthropology, p. 60:

« Cyperus rotundus. In almost every camp we saw largequantities of the tunicated tubes of this plant, which aregenerally called `Erriakura' or `Irriakura' by the Aruntanatives. . . Even raw they are pleasant to the taste, havingan agreeable nutty flavour, which is much improved by theslight roasting.»