Burchardia umbellata
R.Br. MilkmaidsHerb, 10–65 cm high. Leaves 1–2, linear, channelled, somewhat fleshy, mostly 10–30 cm long, 3–6 mm wide. Scape simple or rarely with 1 branch. Umbel 2–9-flowered, subtended by as many linear bracts (to c. 1 cm long) as there are flowers; flowers sweetly scented; pedicels to c. 3 cm long; tepals ovate to obovate, 6–12 mm long, spreading, white on inner face, usually pinkish externally; stamens as long as tepals, anthers pink or purple. Capsule ellipsoidal, beaked, prominently 3-angular, 8–15 mm long. Seeds numerous, minutely granular, 1.5–2.5 mm long. Flowers Jul.–Oct.
LoM, MuM, Wim, GleP, VVP, VRiv, GipP, OtP, WaP, Gold, CVU, GGr, DunT, NIS, EGL, EGU, WPro, HSF, HNF, OtR, Strz, VAlp. Also SA, Qld, NSW, ACT, Tas. Widespread and locally abundant in heathland, grassland and lightly forested country in all but the far north and north-west and alpine areas.
The tuberous roots were used for food by Koories.
Conran, J.G. (1994). Liliaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 2, Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons, pp. 637–686. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
Spinning
