About Burchardia umbellata R.Br.
Burchardia umbellata has narrow leaves that grow up to 60 cm long and between 1.5 and 4 mm wide. Clusters of white or pale pink flowers with reddish centers grow at the top of a thin stalk that reaches 50 to 60 cm in height. Each individual flower is roughly 2.5 cm wide. At the base of the plant, there is a cluster of up to ten carrot-shaped tubers, each around 5 mm thick. Aboriginal Australians use the potato-like tubers of this plant as food. The tubers can be eaten either raw or cooked. They are white, fleshy, crisp, and starchy, with a mild, undistinguished flavor. Burchardia umbellata is rarely sold in nurseries, but it can be propagated from seed and grown in containers. It needs moist, well-drained soil, and grows well in full sun or light shade.
