Philip Gudthaykudthay, Wurrutjara (Sand Palm), 2009 - detail
Philip Gudthaykudthay, Wurrutjara (Sand Palm), 2009 - main view
Philip Gudthaykudthay, Wurrutjara (Sand Palm), 2009 - back view
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Philip Gudthaykudthay, Wurrutjara (Sand Palm), 2009, acrylic on canvas, 109.5 × 99.5 × 2 cm, TCG022332
private collection, Sydney

Seen in and around Ramingining, the sand palm is a small, slender palm, growing to about 7 m tall. It is fire tolerant and usually grows in environments where it is exposed to frequent fires. Aboriginal people use this palm as the fruits are edible and the heart can be eaten, either raw or roasted. The core of the stem is pounded and made into a drink which was used to treat coughs, colds, chest infections, diarrhoea, and tuberculosis.

The sandpalm is also part of the Wagilag sisters story.