Potato orchid, Native potato, Cinnamon Bells
Gastrodia sesamoides
Family: Orchidaceae
What it is like
A slender leafless ground orchid. It grows attached to and feeding on other plants. The plant is leafless. The rhizome under the ground is irregular in shape. The tuber is 2-10 cm across. It is brown and fleshy. The flower stem is 30-80 cm long. It is erect and dark brown. It is fleshy and has several bracts sheathing it. There are 3-75 flowers. These are nodding on flower stalks 0.3-1 cm long. The flowers are 1.5-2 cm long and bell shaped. They are brown and white. They have a sweet scent.
There are about 20 Gastrodia species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It is mainly in drier coastal regions. It grows in open forest and sheltered gullies in both lowland and highland regions. It is generally amongst roots of decayed trees and is partly a parasite on them.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin), New Zealand, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tasmania (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The tubers are eaten after roasting.
It has been an important traditional food in Tasmania.
Edible parts
Root, tuber
How it is grown
It is very difficult to grow.
Flowering is promoted by summer fires. It is a self pollinating plant.