Curculigo ensifolia

R. Br.

Grass potato, Ngambiri

Hypoxidaceae Edible: Rhizome, Root 127 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Curculigo ensifolia is a plant species in the Hypoxidaceae, endemic to Australia. Varieties Curculigo ensifolia var. ensifolia – Queensland, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Western Australia Curculigo ensifolia var. longifolia Benth. – Northern Territory

Description

A grass-like herb. It has long fattened tubers or corms. The plant can re-grow from these. It grows 20-50 cm high. There is a creeping rhizome. The leaves are 20-50 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. They are erect. They are dark green with prominent veins. The flowers are in short spikes. These have few flowers but many papery bracts. The flowers are 1.5 cm across. They are yellow and hairy. They have a long slender perianth tube. The fruit is a capsule about 0.5 cm long. It is enclosed in a bract.

Edible Uses

The long fleshy tubers are dug up, roasted in coals, peeled, and eaten.

Traditional Uses

The long fleshy tubers are dug up and roasted in coals then peeled and eaten.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It suits subtropical and warm temperate climates. It grows in moist areas and rainforests. It grows in litter on rocky slopes. It needs a well drained soil and protected location.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seed or by dividing the rhizome.

Notes

There are 10 Curculigo species. There are 2-5 species in South America.

Nutrition

Part	Moisture	kJ	kcal	Protein	Vit A	Vit C	Iron	Zinc
Root	64.7	300	72	2.2	—	—	50	3.7

Also Known As

Anburda, Andjay, Anmulbirrik, Brahmin ginseng, Lunduru

References (18)

Beasley, J., 2011, Plants of Tropical North Queensland - the compact guide. Footloose publications. p 77
Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 198
Crawford, I. M., 1982, Traditional Aboriginal Plant Resources in the Kalumburu Area: Aspects in Ethno-economics. Records of the Western Australian Museum Supplement No. 15
Cribb, A.B. & J.W., 1976, Wild Food in Australia, Fontana. p 160
Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1984, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 3. Lothian. p 134

Show all 18 references

Garde, M., et al, 2003, A Preliminary List of Kundedjnjenghmi Plant Names. Northern Land Council. (Arnhem Land, Australia)
Jackes, B.R., 2001, Plants of the Tropics. Rainforest to Heath. An Identification Guide. James Cook University. p 61
Lazarides, M. & Hince, B., 1993, Handbook of Economic Plants of Australia, CSIRO. p 70
Lim, T. K., 2015, Edible Medicinal and Non Medicinal Plants. Volume 9, Modified Stems, Roots, Bulbs. Springer p 29
Low, T., 1991, Wild Food Plants of Australia. Australian Nature FieldGuide, Angus & Robertson. p 104
Low, T., 1992, Bush Tucker. Australia’s Wild Food Harvest. Angus & Robertson. p 117
Morley, B.D., & Toelken, H.R., (Eds), 1983, Flowering Plants in Australia. Rigby. p 338
Paczkowska, G. & Chapman, A.R., 2000, The Western Australian Flora. A Descriptive Catalogue. Western Australian Herbarium. p 69
Prodr. 290. 1810
RIRDC, 2010, New Root Vegetables for the Native Food Industry, Australian Government RIRDC Publication 9/161
Vigilante, T., et al, 2013, Island country: Aboriginal connections, values and knowledge of the Western Kimberley islands in the context of an island biological survey. Records of the Western Australian Museum Supplement 81: 145-182
Wheeler, J.R.(ed.), 1992, Flora of the Kimberley Region. CALM, Western Australian Herbarium, p 993
Yunupinu Banjgul, Laklak Yunupinu-Marika, et al. 1995, Rirratjinu Ethnobotany: Aboriginal Plant Use from Yirrkala, Arnhem Land, Australia. Northern Territory Botanical Bulletin No 21. Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory. p 30