Thysanotus tuberosus

R. Br.

Common fringe-lily, Fringed violet, Violet lily

Asparagaceae Edible: Tuber, Root, Leaves, Flowers 5,023 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Thysanotus tuberosus, known as the common fringe-lily is a perennial herb which is endemic to Australia. The species name tuberosus refers to the crisp tasting edible root. The leaves are linear in shape, and round at cross section towards the top. The plant grows from 20 cm to 60 cm tall. It grows in a wide variety of situations, from semi-arid parts of south eastern Australia to coastal areas receiving more than 1300 mm of rain per year. They are often found in open country, heathlands or in dry sclerophyll woodland. Flowers form from September to April. The three petaled flowers are purple, with frilly edges, and only last for one day. They are among the more colorful wildflowers in south eastern Australia.

Description

An erect herb. It grows 40 cm high. The plant has a ring of narrow leaves. The leaves are 30-40 cm long and 2-3 mm wide. The leaf bases are a dark maroon colour. There is a ring of tubers under the ground. There can be 12 tubers. They are 2-3 cm long and 8-9 mm wide. They are up to 10 cm deep. The flowers are delicate and lilac-mauve. The 3 petals have fringes along the edge. The flowers are 2.5-3 cm across. They are on a central stem 40 cm high. The fruit is a capsule with 3 compartments that contain small black seeds.

Edible Uses

The roots can be eaten raw or cooked. They have a crisp, juicy texture but very little flavour.

Traditional Uses

The tubers can be eaten raw or cooked. The leaves and flowers are cooked and eaten.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in wet grasslands of tropical Queensland.

Where It Grows

Australia*, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Tasmania,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from the tubers. They can probably also be grown from the seeds. The seeds are best grown in a greenhouse and transplanted once well established after 1 or 2 years.

Propagation

Sow seed thinly in spring in a sandy compost in a greenhouse. Keep the seedlings in their pots through the first growing season, then move them into individual pots in early spring of the following year. Grow them on in the greenhouse for at least another year before attempting to plant them outdoors. Can also be propagated by division.

Other Uses

None known.

Notes

There are about 50 Thysanotus species mostly in Australia. Also put in the family Laxmanniaceae and Asphodelaceae.

Also Known As

Milaan, Tjunguri, Warrat, Yamu

References (26)

Beasley, J., 2011, Plants of Tropical North Queensland - the compact guide. Footloose publications. p 165
Blomberry, A.M., 1979, Australian Native Plants. Angus and Robertson p 128
Brittan, N. H., 1971, Australian Journal Biological Science 24:1341-5.
Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 984
Caton, J.M. & Hardwick, R. J., 2016, Field Guide to Useful Native Plants from Temperate Australia. Harbour Publishing House. p 308

Show all 26 references

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Hardwick, R.J., 2000, Nature's Larder. A Field Guide to the Native Food Plants of the NSW South Coast. Homosapien Books. p 48
Hastings Advance Community College, 2017, Uses for Native Plants of the Mornington Peninsula. 86pp. p 77
Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 300
Hinton, B & B., 1982, A Wilderness in Bloom. Wildflowers of tropical Australia. p 44
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