Ravensthorpe Radish

Noongar Name: Youlk, Yug, Youcka (Hassel, 1975)
Botanical Name: Platysace deflexa (Turcz.) C. Norman
Common Name: Ravensthorpe Radish

Appearance

Youlk is a tuberous, perennial shrub that grows to 1, in height. It has small, green ovate leaves and white, star shaped flowers that appear at any time of the year.

Distribution

Endemic to a small part of Western Australia from the Avon Wheatbelt to Albany and Esperance (FloraBase, 2018) Avon Wheatbelt, Coolgardie, Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest, Mallee.

Uses

This native vegetable is a distant relative of the common carrot, rather than a radish. This tuber can be harvested throughout the year, with its crisp apple-like texture, golden potato colour and hints of carrot and sweet eucalypt flavour, it makes a tasty ingredient for salads, stews, pies, gratin, cakes and other dishes — or simply roasted, baked or fried with a little butter and salt.

Sources

https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/6250

https://tuckerbush.com.au/youlk-platysace-deflexa/

Vivienne Hansen and John Horsefall 2019, Noongar Bush Tucker – Bush food plants and fungi of the south-west of Western Australia UWAP - UWA Publishing