Burchardia umbellata

Burchardia umbellata (milkmaids) is a perennial herb native to woodlands and heath of eastern and southern Australia, known in all states. It typically flowers from September until November, in dry sclerophyll forests.[2][3]

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

Size and shape

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

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

The genus Burchardia is named for German botanist Johann Heinrich Burckhardt. The species name umbellata is Latin for "umbrella", referring to the umbels of flowers.[4]

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.[4]

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References
  1. "Burchardia umbellata". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  2. Australian Botany Pages. Australian National Botanic Gardens
  3. Morcombe, Michael (1991). Australia's Wildflowers (Réimpr. ed.). Sydney: The Book Company and Ure Smith Press. p. 30. ISBN 0725408731.
  4. Burchardia umbellata. Australian Native Plants Society.
  5. Low, T. Wild Food Plants of Australia. 1988. ISBN 0-207-16930-6
  6. Gott, B. Aboriginal Trail. Australian National Botanic Gardens.
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