Common Early Nancy

Images ©:
©

Gary Clark,  Colleen Miller

Wurmbea dioica

Flower stem to 30 cm with male and female flowers on the same or different plants. Some bisexual flowers may also be found within the inflorescence. Spikes of 2-7 starry flowers. Three stem-sheathing leaves at the base.

Details
Flora Type
Lilies, orchids
Former Scientific Name
Anguillaria dioica, Wurmbea dioica ssp. dioica
Other Common Names
Harbinger of Spring
Distinctive Features

Male flowers are white with red to purple anthers. A purple band (nectary) towards the base of the flower distinguishes this species from the taller Burchardia umbellata. Stem-sheathing leaves are fleshy.
Biology

Perennial. This species resprouts from an underground tuber following autumn rain.
Native Status
Native
Flowering Time

Jul-Sep
Taxonomy
Phylum
Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants)
Class
Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants)
Order
Liliales
Family
Colchicaceae
Genus
Wurmbea
Species
dioica

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

One of the earliest flowering lilies, hence the common name Harbinger of Spring. The starchy tuber was eaten by Aboriginal people and had relatively high calorific value. The small round underground tuber is protected by black overlapping leaf-like bracts.

Interesting Facts
Native Status
Native