7 Chapter : Findings
7.2 Process to validate and structure Lane’s data set
Lane’s data was extracted from her typescripts and loaded into a new database that was designed and built similar to that of the Royal Botanic Gardens (R.B.G.) Kew – Economic Botany Data Collection Standard. This Standard is a detailed 146 page document outlining standardised descriptors and terms attached to taxonomic data sets. In 1989 the International Working Group on Taxonomic Databases for Plant Science (T.D.W.G.) decided to initiate a data standard for economic botany. This initiative was led by a representative of the R.B.G. Kew’s Economic Botany Collection who had extensive experience in coding and working with the existing 3 databases at Kew, namely 1. Survey of Economic Plants for Arid and Semi Arid Lands; 2. The Catalogue of the Economic Botany Collections; 3. The Economic Botany Bibliographic Database.
As there is not a global standard or consolidated global ethnobotanical database, the R.B.G. Kew Standard was selected as the baseline standard for this exercise.
Although the purpose of this thesis is not to build a comprehensive ethnobotanical Wadawurrung database, the data set should nonetheless be structured in a manner that enables analysis and future referencing with the ability to easily become a comprehensive ethnobotanical database in the future.
Key elements were used in structuring the data to align with the R.B.G. Kew structure and principles. Not all descriptors were relevant and therefore not included. However, there were a handful of additional descriptors that were added to further enhance the structure such as ‘calendar plants’ and ‘funerary’ which are plants used in a type of funeral process.
Validation of Lane’s content included confirming the ‘regional habitat’ of each plant species to ensure that the plant grows (or has grown) within Wadawurrung Country. This process step was undertaken using a variety of sources including the Atlas of Living Australia (C.S.I.R.O.), Flora of Victoria (Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria); indigenous plants of the Geelong Region (City of Greater Geelong Environment Unit, Department of Sustainability and Environment, David Perry and Mark Trengove). This latter resource had identified 146 species of dominant indigenous plants found, or once found, in the Greater Geelong region. Of these 61 appeared in Lane’s data set. However given that Lane’s data included a broader scope that covers the S.E. Wadawurrung Country (which includes part of the current Surf Coast Shire & Golden Plains Shire), you would expect to see these differences.
7.2.1 Descriptors applied to Lane’s plant parts
The anatomy of a plant can be a complex topic, distinguishing the correct part and applying the correct anatomical name was done in reference to multiple sources, primarily The Plant Information Network System of the National Herbarium of The Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, N.S.W. and Domain Trust along with Clarke & Lee’s Name that Flower - the Identification of Flowering Plants (1994).365 The plant parts were classified into 15 descriptors at Level 1 and 56 descriptors at Level 2 (see Table 7-4).
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Table 7-4 Plant part descriptors applied to Lane's data set Plant Part
Level 1 Level 2 Explanation
ash wood ash taken from the burnt wood of a plant
ash bark ash taken from the burnt bark of a plant
bark inner bark / bast fibrous material from under the outer bark of a plant
bark not specified where Lane did not specify beyond bark, this category allows for this data
bark outer bark / cortex the outermost layer of a plant core medulla / pith centre of the stem of the plant entire plant ex situ not specified whole plant not in situ
exudates gum / kino decomposition of the plant’s cellulose in a process called gummosis, gum is soluble in water
exudates juice leaf juice, stem juice, root juice
exudates latex a milky juice that exudes from some plants
exudates manna a sweet gum
exudates nectar a sugary liquid produced by the flowers exudates resin / oleoresin oxidation products of essential oils that are not
soluble in water
exudates sap fluid of a plant's vascular system containing sugar and mineral salts dissolved in water exudates tannin brown or yellow organic substance found in
galls and bark
fungi entire whole fungi used
galls not specified external growth or swelling on the external surface of a plant
galls stem galls external growth or swelling on the external surface of the stem of a plant
inflorescence flower buds prior to opening
inflorescence flowers includes blossoms
inflorescence spike these often have tiny flowers on them
infructescence bacca an indehiscent fruit derived from a single ovary having one or many seeds within a fleshy wall or pericarp
infructescence fruit a ripe ovary of an angiosperm, includes gum-nuts
infructescence fruit juice juice from the fruit
infructescence unspecified where Lane did not specify beyond fruit, this category allows for this data
leaves blades leaf blades
leaves fronds fern leaves
leaves leaf buds leaves prior to opening
leaves leaves general
leaves not specified where Lane did not specify beyond leaves, this category allows for this data
leaves old leaves old leaves either in situ or ex situ
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leaves tomentum a covering of closely matted or fine hairs on plant leaves
leaves young leaves fully opened new leaves
live plant in situ not specified whole living plant in its growing site not specified not specified no data given on plant part, but data was
available on species and use
roots bulbs / corms a solid, short underground stem that is
surrounded by fleshy leaf bases that stores food matter
roots not specified where Lane did not specify beyond roots, this category allows for this data
roots rhizomes a horizontal, perennial underground stem
roots roots general
roots shoots shoots stemming from the root above ground
roots tubers a root or stem that is underground and swollen which contains stored food
seeds pods a pouch that contains the seeds
seeds seeds a reproductive part of a plant
seeds spadix fluff the fluff which is derived from the spadix - flower spike
stems branch / branchlets/
twigs
branches - large or small including twigs
stems canes hollow stem of a plant
stems cladodes a flattened, photosynthetic stem
stems culms the stalk of a grass, reed or sedge that holds the inflorescence
stems sporocarps a pod type structure that produces and releases spores, found on separate stems at the base of a plant
stems stems the axis of a plant that bears flowers, leaves or branches that can be subterranean or aerial stems stolons an aerial stem that creeps along the ground stems tendrils a stem designed to climb and wrap around
supporting structures
stems trunk the large main stem of a tree
stems wood solid internal matter of a tree or shrub beneath the outer layer which may or may not include the heartwood and sapwood
7.2.2 Descriptors applied to Lane’s ‘use’ categories
The definition of the word ‘use’ in this context is aligned with a plant’s purpose or function within the Wadawurrung People’s daily lives prior to European colonisation.
Lane’s data has been structured over 2 levels, with 12 descriptors at Level 1 which breaks down into a further 70 descriptors at Level 2 (see Table 7-5).
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Table 7-5 Plant 'use' Descriptors applied to Lane's data set
Use
Level 1 Level 2 Explanation
agriculture seed dispersal seed sowing animals deterrent / repellent insect repellent
animals habitat where specific fauna reside
animals traps plants used in the process of trapping animals children's
activities
toys plants used in children's games fuels fire sticks / drills plants used to create fire
fuels firewood used to enhance a fire
fuels heating in creating warmth
fuels igniter a flambeau used for carrying on the food circuit or tools used in the fire ignition process along with fire drills
fuels illuminates - (static) static lighting to illuminate a specific area fuels illuminates -
torches (portable)
torch used when moving around fuels tinder this category also includes kindling human
consumption
alleviate thirst used as a refreshment or to quench thirst human
consumption
appetite suppressor to suppress hunger pains human
consumption
beverage a drink
human consumption
chewing gum chewing for pleasure or to aid concentration human
consumption
food food
human consumption
food additives includes flavouring food (herbs etc) human
consumption
insulation insulation to keep food cool human
consumption
stimulant alcoholic soma, drugs materials adhesives fixatives, mastics, glues
materials adornment clothing, clothing accessories - e.g. necklaces, head bands
materials building (residence) permanent structures or temporary shelters materials coatings (water
proofer)
to make something water tight materials creative (art) for dying fibres
materials fibre - general ropes, string, twine, bindings, thread, cordage materials fibre for bags /
sacks / slings
soft, hanging, draped or loose bag e.g. dhilli bag or baby carrier
materials fibre for baskets hard or soft baskets, decorated or not decorated - cooking baskets, storage baskets for food or ornaments
materials filtration (wells) plants used to line wells to filter and purify saline water
materials fishing equipment nets, fishing spears
materials furnishings carpet / rugs / mats / interior wall
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treatments/mattresses materials insulation used to trap in heat materials solid carriers e.g. coolamon
materials solid containers vat for storing liquid or producing fermented beverages
materials tools construction or agriculture tools - mallets, axes, digging stick, sewing tools
materials utensils / implements
e.g. brush, crockery, food hook, scoop, cooking utensils
materials weapons club, spear, waddy materials wrappers food foil, swaddling babies medicines anaesthetic numbing agent
medicines antiseptic protecting wounds medicines backache pains in the back region medicines digestive system
disorders
diarrhoea, flatulence, indigestion, constipation, stomach pains, digestion
medicines disinfectant cleaning wounds medicines earache pains in the ear region
medicines fever high temperature plus possible other symptoms medicines headache pains in the head region
medicines infections internal infections medicines inflammation swelling
medicines medical accessories bandages/slings
medicines pain general pain
medicines poisonings to mitigate the effects of poison medicines pregnancy / birth to aid in a protracted labour medicines respiratory system
disorders
chest complaints including congestions, sniffles, coughs, common or head colds, sore throats, bronchitis
medicines rheumatism inflammation and pain in the joints, muscles, or fibrous tissue
medicines sedative inducing sleep or calming
medicines skin deep and shallow wounds to the skin, contusions, blisters, skin infections, abrasions, grazes, lesions, eruptions, bites, itches, scratches, stings
medicines sore eyes pain in the eye region or dry eyes medicines teeth pain in the teeth region
medicines tonic general tonic
poisons animal poisoning to aid in poisoning animals
seasonal calendar plant a plant that has a seasonal variation which is used as an indicator
social uses / protocols
ceremonial used during sacred or religious ceremony baierr (corroboree)
social uses / protocols
communications message sticks, signs (signposts) social uses /
protocols
ensorcellment magical sorcery / bewitching / enchanting social uses /
protocols
funerary catafalque, sepulchre, funeral type processes social uses /
protocols
musical instruments e.g. clapping sticks
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