Swamp crinum
Crinum uniflorum
Family: Amaryllidaceae
What it is like
A small lily. It continues to grow from year to year from the bulb. It grows 50 cm high. The leaves are smooth and limp. They are 10-40 cm long by 0.2-2 cm wide. The flowers are pink or white. The stamens are red or purple. The flowers are 10-12 cm across in groups. The flower stalk is 30-50 cm long. The fruit is a round green capsule.
There are over 100 Crinum species.
Where it is found
It grows in tropical places. It grows in open forests where occasional floods occur. It prefers full sun. It is cold sensitive.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin), Torres Strait
How it is used for food
The tuber is scraped and made into a paste.
Edible parts
Tuber, root
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed. Seeds grow readily in moist conditions. It can also be grown by division.
Its other names
Local names
Ground lily