Calostemma luteum

Calostemma luteum is a perennial bulbous plant species in the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). It is native to New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland. It was first described in 1819 by John Sims, from plants in the botanical garden of the Apothecaries Company, grown from material sent by Barron Field.

Description

A lily. It grows 30-60 cm tall. The leaves are 30-40 cm long by 1 cm wide. They are dark green and shiny. The flower stem is erect. It is 30-60 cm tall. The flowers are 3 cm long and bright yellow. They are funnel shaped. The fruit is a capsule 0.5-0.8 cm across. The bulbs multiply and build up in number.

Edible Uses

The bulbs and roots are eaten.

Distribution

It often occurs in flood plains. It will tolerate dry conditions. It cannot tolerate cold and poorly drained soils.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Cultivation

The plants can be grown from seed or bulbs.

Notes

There are 4 Calostemma species. They grow in Australia.

Nutrition

References (5)

• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 201
• Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 189
• Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1982, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 2. Lothian. p 436
• Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 50
• Lazarides, M. & Hince, B., 1993, Handbook of Economic Plants of Australia, CSIRO. p 43

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