Pale Vanilla-lily
Arthropodium milleflorum
Slender perennial lily with open, branched sprays of white or pale pink, vanilla-scented flowers to 70 cm. Slightly fleshy spreading dark green grass-like leaves may have a waxy bloom.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Flora Type | Lilies, orchids |
| Distinctive Features | Plump edible tubers. Anthers are white and purple. |
| Biology | Perennial. Moist well-drained rocky soils in full sun. |
| Native Status | Native |
| Flowering Time | Sep-Dec |
| Taxonomy | |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants) |
| Class | Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants) |
| Order | Asparagales |
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Genus | Arthropodium |
| Species | milleflorum |
The multiple fleshy white tubers were cooked and eaten as food by Aboriginal people. They are also palatable without cooking.
| Interesting Facts | |
|---|---|
| Similar Species | Drooping Vanilla-lily A. pendulum has drooping purple flowers with densely hairy purple and yellow anthers. Pale Vanilla-lily A. milleflorum has yellow and white anthers. It was described by Hooker in 1840 and forgotten, and may be endemic to Tas. |
| Native Status | Native |