Blood roots
Haemodorum simulans
Family: Haemodoraceae
What it is like
A herb which keeps growing from year to year. It forms a bulb. Plants grow to 2 m tall. There are 4-12 leaves. They are 30-40 cm long by 0.7-2.5 cm wide. They are flat and dark green and form a tuft at the base of the plant. Plants flower after fire. The flower stalk is branched and 50-190 cm tall. The flowers are brownish-black. They are 0.6-0.8 cm long. They are on long slender flowering stalks. The flowers never open. Flowers are pollinated by native bees.
There are about 20 Haemodorum species. They are mostly in Australia.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows in well drained soils in Western Australia. It can tolerate some frost.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The bulbs are eaten raw or roasted. They have a mild onion flavour.
Edible parts
Bulbs
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed.
Its other names
Local names
Bohn, Born, Mardja