Spiderwort, Pink Swamp lily, Giant Grass Wool, Grass Lily, Baniyu
Murdannia graminea

Family: Commelinaceae

What it is like

A herb which keeps growing from year to year. It grows 10-60 cm high. It has fleshy roots. The leaves are 10-30 cm long by 0.5-0.8 cm wide. They are sword like or grass-like. The leaves occur in a loose ring around the base. They are erect and arching. They are bluish-green. The flower panicles are 30-60 cm high. The flowers are 1.5-2 cm across and blue. They are on slender stalks. The fruit is a capsule 0.6-0.8 cm long by 0.3-0.4 cm wide. It is oval. The seeds are black and have pits.

There are 50 Murdannia species. They grow in the tropics.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in open forest, often in moist soils. Plants often flower after heavy rain. It needs well drained soil and some shade. It can tolerate frost.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The tubers are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Tubers, roots

How it is grown

Plants are grown from fresh seed.

Its other names

Local names

Baniyu

Synonyms

Aneilema gramineum;