Burchardia umbellata
| milkmaids | |
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| File:Burchardia umbellata.jpg | |
| At Anglesea Heath | |
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B. umbellata
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| Burchardia umbellata |
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Burchardia umbellata (milkmaids) is a perennial herb native to woodlands and heath of eastern and southern Australia, known in all states except Western Australia. It typically flowers from September until November, in dry sclerophyll forests.[2][3]
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
Aborigines 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]
References
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Australian Botany Pages. Australian National Botanic Gardens
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Burchardia umbellata. 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.
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