Burchardia umbellata
| Burchardia umbellata | |
|---|---|
| |
| At Anglesea Heath | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Liliales |
| Family: | Colchicaceae |
| Genus: | Burchardia |
| Species: | B. umbellata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Burchardia umbellata | |
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.[2][3]
Size and shape[edit]
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.[4] Each flower measures about 2.5 cm wide.[4] There is a cluster of up to ten carrot-shaped tubers at the base, each about 5 mm thick.[5]
Use as food[edit]
Aboriginals eat the potato-like tubers.[6] The tubers can be eaten raw or cooked. They are white, fleshy, crisp, and starchy, with a nondescript flavor.[2]
Origin of name[edit]
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.[4]
Cultivation[edit]
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.[4]
References[edit]
- ^ "Burchardia umbellata". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
- ^ a b Australian Botany Pages. Australian National Botanic Gardens
- ^ Morcombe, Michael (1991). Australia's Wildflowers (Réimpr. ed.). Sydney: The Book Company and Ure Smith Press. p. 30. ISBN 0725408731.
- ^ a b c d Burchardia umbellata. Archived 2010-12-13 at the Wayback Machine Australian Native Plants Society.
- ^ Low, T. Wild Food Plants of Australia. 1988. ISBN 0-207-16930-6
- ^ Gott, B. Aboriginal Trail. Australian National Botanic Gardens.