Burchardia umbellata
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Burchardia umbellata, known as milkmaids, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to woodlands and heath of eastern and southern Australia. It is known in all states. It typically flowers from September until November, in dry sclerophyll forests.[1][2]
Description
The narrow leaves of Burchardia umbellata are up to 60 cm long by 1.5 to 4 mm wide. Clusters of white or pale pink flowers with reddish centers sit atop a thin stalk that is 50 to 60 cm high.[3] Each flower measures about 2.5 cm wide.[3] There is a cluster of up to ten carrot-shaped tubers at the base, each about 5 mm thick.[4]
Taxonomy
Burchardia umbellata was first described by Robert Brown in 1810.[5] The genus Burchardia is named for German botanist Johann Heinrich Burckhardt. The Latin species name umbellata means "umbrella" or "parasol", referring to the shape of the umbels of flowers.[3]
Use as food
Aboriginal Australians eat the potato-like tubers.[6] The tubers can be eaten raw or cooked. They are white, fleshy, crisp, and starchy, with an undistinguished flavor.[1]
Cultivation
Burchardia umbellata is rarely available in nurseries, but it can be propagated by seed and kept in containers. It requires moist, well-drained soils and sun or light shade.[3]
References
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- ↑ a b Australian Botany Pages. Australian National Botanic Gardens
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- ↑ a b c d Burchardia umbellata. Template:Webarchive Australian Native Plants Society.
- ↑ Low, T. Wild Food Plants of Australia. 1988. Template:ISBN
- ↑ Template:Cite POWO
- ↑ Gott, B. Aboriginal Trail. Australian National Botanic Gardens.
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