Bush potato
Cartonema parviflorum
Family: Commelinaceae
What it is like
A small herb. It grows 20-60 cm high. It keeps growing from year to year. It may die back to the tuber (corm). The tuber is about 1.5 cm across. The leaves are 10-30 cm long and very narrow. They are grass-like and dark green. The flower spikes are 30-50 cm long. They are loose and open. The flowers are about 1 cm across and white.
There are about 10 Cartonema species. These have also been put in the family Cartonemataceae.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in northern Australia on moist sandy ground. It is often along the edges of swamps.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The corms are roasted and eaten. They have a strong spicy smell.
Edible parts
Tubers, corms, root
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed or tubers.
The dead plants are pulled up to harvest the corm.
Its other names
Local names
Arda, Rambag, Wiridjagu