Typhonium brownii
Schott
Black Arum lily
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) senelles, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) John, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Summary
Source: WikipediaTyphonium brownii, also known as the black arum lily, is a species of plant in the Araceae family that is endemic to Australia.
Description
An erect lily like herb. It grows 30 cm high. It has a creeping underground stem or rhizome that is 1 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. There are 1 to 3 arrow shaped leaflets on long leaf stalks. The central lobe is 20 cm by 12 cm and the side lobes are 12 cm by 1-6 cm. The flowers are large. They are deep red-brown and almost black. They are made up of small flowers in a spike is the axils of the leaves. This is in a dark purple to brown spathe. This is green on the outside. The tubers have yellow flesh. The flower has an unpleasant smell which attracts blowflies for pollination. The plant dies back to a tuber each year. The fruit are red berries about 1 cm across.
Edible Uses
Root - cooked. A rich source of starch but, unless it is very thoroughly cooked to destroy the toxins, it can cause severe discomfort in the mouth and digestive tract. Traditionally, the Aborigines would bake it and pound it several times before eating it.
Known Hazards
All parts of the plant contain calcium oxalate crystals. This substance is toxic fresh and, if eaten, makes the mouth, tongue and throat feel as if hundreds of small needles are digging in to them. However, calcium oxalate is easily broken down either by thoroughly cooking the plant or by fully drying it and, in either of these states, it is safe to eat the plant. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones and hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet.
Distribution
A tropical plant. It grows in rainforest vine thickets. In tropical Queensland it grows from sea level to 500 m altitude. Melbourne Botanical gardens.
Where It Grows
Australia*,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown from seed or by division of the tubers.
Propagation
Seed - Division of offsets in the dormant season
Notes
There are about 50 Typhonium species.
References (9)
- Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 997
- Brown, D., 2000, Aroids. Plants of the Arum family. Timber Press. (Second edition) p 270
- Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 191, 197, 201
- Cooper, W. and Cooper, W., 2004, Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Nokomis Editions, Victoria, Australia. p 63
- Cribb, A.B. & J.W., 1976, Wild Food in Australia, Fontana. p 155
Show all 9 references Hide references
- Jones D, L, 1986, Ornamental Rainforest Plants in Australia, Reed Books, p 258
- Lavelle, M., 2008, Wild Flowers of Australia and Oceania. Southwater. p 109
- Lim, T. K., 2015, Edible Medicinal and Non Medicinal Plants. Volume 9, Modified Stems, Roots, Bulbs. Springer p 84
- Ratcliffe D & P., 1987, Australian Native Plants for Indoors. Little Hills press. p 138
