Grain Profiles
Australian native grains documented in public research. Each profile links to the published research it draws on.
Native millet (guli)
Mainland Australia; Gamilaraay/Gomeroi Country, north-west NSW
A perennial native grass recorded as a staple food for many Aboriginal communities. Likely gluten-free, with more protein than bread wheat.
Growing: Very small seed with an inner husk that is hard to remove.
Uses: Flour, traditionally for unleavened bread cooked on hot coals. Trialled in flatbreads blended 25–50% with wheat, though tasters generally preferred wheat-only.
Source: Jenifer et al., Foods (2023) ↗
Mitchell grass
Gamilaraay/Gomeroi Country, north-west NSW
A high-protein native grass, reported at about 55% more protein and 2.5 times the minerals of bread wheat.
Growing: Hard to thresh mechanically, and needs more water than some other species.
Uses: Grain and flour.
Source: University of Sydney (2020) ↗
Kangaroo grass
Widespread across Australia
Widely mentioned in historical accounts of Aboriginal grain production, and culturally significant to some groups. Hardy and fire-responsive, but hard to thresh.
Growing: Low grain yield per hectare on Gomeroi Country.
Uses: Edible grain, milled into flour.
Source: University of Sydney (2020) ↗
Weeping grass
Cool temperate eastern Australia
One of the first native grains to be commercialised. Its relatively large seed makes it easier to process.
Growing: Easy to thresh and sieve. Grows well in high-fertility soil.
Uses: Grain and flour.
Source: University of Sydney (2020) ↗
Button grass
Gamilaraay/Gomeroi Country, north-west NSW
A low-growing grass with a small smooth seed, among the easiest to thresh. An alternative to native millet where conditions suit.
Growing: Seed can be collected efficiently with a blower vac. Suitability depends on soil and rainfall.
Uses: Grain and flour.
Source: University of Sydney (2020) ↗
Dhamu (pigweed)
Gamilaraay/Gomeroi Country, north-west NSW
Also called purslane. Its highly nutritious seed already has markets overseas. Reported at about 23 times the minerals and 10 times the omega-3 of bread wheat.
Growing: Produces lots of seed and threshes easily, though the tiny seed can carry soil particles.
Uses: Seed. Subject of ongoing research.
Native rice
Northern Territory floodplains and Far North Queensland
Wild rice long harvested by Indigenous communities, now being trialled with First Nations enterprises Pudakul and Olive Vale.
Growing: Responds strongly to fertiliser, but seed can fall before harvest.
Uses: Whole-grain rice.
Source: Future Food Systems CRC ↗
Nardoo
Still or slow-moving water in every mainland state and territory except the ACT
An aquatic fern, not a grass. Its spore cases were ground into flour. Traditional preparation is essential: raw nardoo causes vitamin B1 deficiency.
Growing: Spores germinate with changes in moisture, so it responds to infrequent rain and floods.
Uses: Flour for baking, made only with proper traditional preparation.
Source: Australian National Botanic Gardens ↗