Early Nancy, Blackman's potatoes, Lily
Wurmbea dioica

Family: Colchicaceae

What it is like

A dainty white lily. It is a small herb with a bulb. It grows 4-30 cm high. There are 3 leaves. They are bright green and grass like. They clasp the stem. The leaves are 15 cm long and 1-3 mm wide. The tubers are 1 cm long and 5 mm wide. They are brown with flaky black skin. They are buried 3-5 cm below the ground. The flowers have a scent. They are start like and have 6 segments. They are white with a purple band. The flowers occur in small clusters at the ends of shoots. Male and female flowers are on separate plants. The male flowers have 6 stamens with purple anthers. The female flowers have a dark purple swollen ovary. There can be 2-6 flowers per plant. They are on a single stem 10 cm high. The fruit is a 3 celled brown capsule.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in damp grassland and forest. It needs well drained soil in part shade.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Tasmania (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The bulb is roasted and eaten.

Edible parts

Tuber, bulb, root

How it is grown

It is best treated as an annual plant. Plants can be grown from seed. Seeds are collected from drying capsules. The seed need to be treated. The seeds need to be just covered and kept moist at 20-25°C and they will grow in 15-60 days. Seedlings can be planted out in 3-6 months. Plants can also be grown by division.

Its other names

Local names

Harbinger of Spring

Synonyms

Anguillaria dioica R. Br.;