Glossodia major

R.Br.

Common Waxlip, Blue Cockies, Parson-in-the-Pulpit, Wax-lip orchid

Orchidaceae Edible: Tuber, Root, Bulb 12,782 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Glossodia major, commonly known as the waxlip orchid, parson-in-the-pulpit, or purple cockatoo is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae, and is endemic to Australia. It is a ground orchid with a single hairy leaf and one or two purple to mauve flowers.

Description

A ground orchid with a thin wiry stem. It grows to about 30 cm tall. It has one hairy sword shaped leaf. This is 10 cm long by 2 cm wide. It is hairy on both surfaces and is often hugging the ground. The flower stalk is 30 cm long. There are 1-2 star shaped flowers. The flowers are purple and 4.5 cm across. They are white near the base and have two white patches.

Edible Uses

The tuber is traditionally roasted and eaten, though this harvesting method kills the plant.

Traditional Uses

The tuber is roasted and eaten. This would kill the plant.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It is normally in coastal heath and light forest. They grow up to 800 m altitude.

Where It Grows

Australia*, Tasmania*,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from tubers. They can also be grown from seed. The seed are scattered around adult plants. Plants are very sensitive to overwatering. Plants flower more after fires.

Notes

There are about 3 Glossodia species.

References (19)

Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 500
Caton, J.M. & Hardwick, R. J., 2016, Field Guide to Useful Native Plants from Temperate Australia. Harbour Publishing House. p 292
Clarke, P. A., 2013, The Aboriginal Ethnobotany of the Adelaide Region, South Australia. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia. (2013), 137(1): 97-126
Collier, P., 1993, Orchids of Tasmania. Plant Identikit. Society for growing Australian Plants. Tasmania. p 79
Cronin, L., 1989, The Concise Australian Flora. Reed. p 75

Show all 19 references

Dashorst, G.R.M., and Jessop, J.P., 1998, Plants of the Adelaide Plains & Hills. Botanic Gardens of Adelaide and State Herbarium. p 204
Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1992, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 4. Lothian. p 369
Gilfedder, L et al, 2003, The Nature of the Midlands. Midlands Bushweb. PO Box 156 Longford, Tasmania. p 70
Grieg, D., 2002, A photographic guide to Wildflowers of South-eastern Australia. New Holland. p 93
Harris, S., Buchanan, A., Connolly, A., 2001, One Hundred Islands: The Flora of the Outer Furneaux. Tas Govt. p 161
Holliman, J., (Ed.), 2002, Orchids. Botanica's Pocket. Random House, Australia. p 287
Jones, D., Wapstra, H., Tonelli, P., and Harris S., 1999, The Orchids of Tasmania. Miegunyah Press, MUP, Victoria, Australia. p 163
Hunter, J. T. & Sheringham, P., 2006, Vegetation and Floristics of Melville Range Nature Reserve. A Report to the New South Wales Parks and Wildlife Service. p 174
Lim, T. K., 2015, Edible Medicinal and Non Medicinal Plants. Volume 9, Modified Stems, Roots, Bulbs. Springer p 44
Low, T., 1992, Bush Tucker. Australia’s Wild Food Harvest. Angus & Robertson. p 120
Minchin, R.F., Tasmanian Wildflowers. A Field Guide. Volume one. Regal Publications, Launceston p 44
Pearson, S. & A., 1992, Rainforest Plants of Eastern Australia. Kangaroo Press p 116
Tasmanian Herbarium Vascular Plants list p 74
Woolmore, E et al, 2002, King Island Flora: A Field Guide. p 96