Ngkwerlp (Wild Tobacco) Story SP4635-Bronwyn Payne Ngale

Bronwyn paints the story of the wild tobacco or pituri (Nicotiana spp.). In Bronwyn's language it is called Ngkwerlp. This herb has soft leaves and creamy white, trumpet shaped flowers with two-valved seed capsules. Occurring naturally in Central Australia, it is found plentiful in Bronwyn's home in the Utopia Region, north east of Alice Springs. The leaf of the plant is picked and chewed by the aboriginal people and can also be used for medicinal purposes. In the olden days, and in some areas today, the seeds would be collected and replanted by the aboriginal people.