This painting depicts the partiki tree, Terminalia arostrata. The tree bears edible nuts called ‘timpi’ or ‘janyparlk’, though they are often just called ‘partiki’. The big nuts are called ‘mirtamirta’. Peanuts and other introduced nuts are also called ‘partiki’. When the nuts are ripe, they are broken open and the seed inside is eaten. In the old days the fruit were cracked open with the back of a ‘warlmayi’ (spear-thrower). Now an axe or hammer is used. The leaves are also used to treat ‘marntara’ (skin sores) and ‘karlapa’ (boils), in conjunction with ‘wariyili’. The leaves are boiled until the mix goes green, then the sores and boils are bathed in it. The mixture helps draw the pus out. It is also good for toothaches and can be used as shampoo which makes hair dark and healthy. The timber makes good ‘warlu’ (firewood) and it is common to find ‘namawurru’ or ‘ngarlu’ (sugarbag) in the trunk. The outer bark produces ‘wuyu’ (fine black soot) when it is burnt. This can be used as colour during ceremonies. In the past the soot was rubbed onto the skin of light-skinned babies so that the welfare officers would not take them away.

A partiki tree in Wattie Creek (Daguragu) is revered in Gurindji Country as the tree under which the Gurindji elders and stockmen sat to talk about their plans leading up to the Wave Hill Walk Off in 1966.