Erythrina vespertilio
Encyclopedia
Erythrina vespertilio is a tree native to north and north-east Australia
. Its common names are Grey Corkwood, Bat's Wing Coral Tree, and the more ambiguous "bean tree
". In the Western Desert language
it is also known as ininti.
It was widely traditionally used by Aboriginal Australians in Central Australia
for making woomera
s and coolamon
s. The Warlpiri
, among others, would use the wood to make shields, used either for warfare or ceremonially. These shields could then be used for making fire
with the friction method.
The bark is also considered to have medicinal uses
, and the seed
s are used to make decorations.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. Its common names are Grey Corkwood, Bat's Wing Coral Tree, and the more ambiguous "bean tree
Bean Tree
Bean Tree is a name used in different parts of the world for various trees that carry their seeds in large pods. Examples include:* Carob* Catalpa* Cassia brewsteri* Cassia tomentella...
". In the Western Desert language
Western Desert Language
Western Desert Language is the name used to refer to an otherwise un-named Australian Aboriginal language. It is one of the Wati languages of the large Southwest branch of the Pama–Nyungan family.-Location and list of communities:...
it is also known as ininti.
It was widely traditionally used by Aboriginal Australians in Central Australia
Central Australia
Central Australia/Alice Springs Region is one of the five regions in the Northern Territory. The term Central Australia is used to describe an area centred on Alice Springs in Australia. It is sometimes referred to as Centralia; likewise the people of the area are sometimes called Centralians...
for making woomera
Woomera (spear-thrower)
A woomera is an Australian Aboriginal spear-throwing device used for when there is a greater distance to be overcome. It is highly efficient and made of wood. Similar to an atlatl, it enables a spear to travel much further than by arm strength alone...
s and coolamon
Coolamon (vessel)
A coolamon is an Indigenous Australian carrying vessel.It is a multi-purpose shallow vessel, or dish with curved sides, ranging in length from 30–70 cm, and similar in shape to a canoe....
s. The Warlpiri
Warlpiri
The Warlpiri are a group of Indigenous Australians, many of whom speak the Warlpiri language. There are 5,000–6,000 Warlpiri, living mostly in a few towns and settlements scattered through their traditional land in Australia's Northern Territory, north and west of Alice Springs...
, among others, would use the wood to make shields, used either for warfare or ceremonially. These shields could then be used for making fire
Making fire
Fire was an essential tool in early human cultural development and still important today. Many different techniques for making fire exist...
with the friction method.
The bark is also considered to have medicinal uses
Herbalism
Herbalism is a traditional medicinal or folk medicine practice based on the use of plants and plant extracts. Herbalism is also known as botanical medicine, medical herbalism, herbal medicine, herbology, herblore, and phytotherapy...
, and the seed
Seed
A seed is a small embryonic plant enclosed in a covering called the seed coat, usually with some stored food. It is the product of the ripened ovule of gymnosperm and angiosperm plants which occurs after fertilization and some growth within the mother plant...
s are used to make decorations.