Born, Blood roots
Haemodorum spicatum
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 3-4 leaves. These are 20-30 cm long by 0.1-0.2 cm wide. They are cylindrical and dark green. Plants flower after fire. The flower are on long slender flowering stalks. These are branched and 30-80 cm long. The flowers are 0.5 cm long and grey-brown. 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 grows in Western Australia in a Mediterranean climate. It needs a well drained soil. It can tolerate light frosts. It can grow on poor sandysoils.
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. They add colour.
Edible parts
Bulbs - spice
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed or bulbils.
Its other names
Local names
Meen, Bohn, Mardja