Botanical art
Prior names
Bulbinopsis bulbosa
Anthericum bulbosum
Common names
Golden lily
Bulbine-lily
Native Leek
Etymology
Bulbine from the Latin 'bulbous' meaning a bulb, referring to the bulb-shaped tuber of many members of this genus. Bulbosa from the Latin 'bulbosus' meaning bulbous, referring to the bulb-shaped tuber under the rootstock (but not have a true bulb).
Distribution and status
Found in the southern part of South Australia, mainly in the Mount Lofty Ranges growing in damp areas in woodland, grassland and sclerophyll forest. Also found in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. Native. Common in South Australia. Common in the other States.
Herbarium regions: Lake Eyre, Flinders Ranges, Eastern, Eyre Peninsula, Northern Lofty, Murray, Yorke Peninsula, Southern Lofty, South Eastern, Green Adelaide
NRM regions: Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges, Eyre Peninsula, Northern and Yorke, South Australian Arid Lands, South Australian Murray-Darling Basin, South East
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)
Plant description
Erect annual herb to 30 cm tall with cylindrical fleshy basal leaves and a bulb-shaped tuber immediately under the rootstock. Inflorescence a long erect spike with yellow flowers, perianth filaments equal and all with a circle of hairs. Distinguished from the other Bulbine species by having a tuber just below the ground and the perianth filaments all with hairs. Flowering between August and October. Fruits are round capsules to 6 mm long containing numerous seeds. Seeds are mottled brown seeds to 3mm long. Seed embryo type is linear fully developed.
Seed collection and propagation
Collect seeds between October and December. Collect mature capsules that are turning pale straw colour and contain brown seeds. Can collect individual capsules or break off the whole fruit spike. Place the capsules in a tray and leave to dry for two weeks. Then rub the capsules gently by hand to dislodge the seeds. Use a sieve to separate the unwanted material. Store the seeds with a desiccant such as dried silica beads or dry rice, in an air tight container in a cool and dry place. Seed viability is usually was high.
Location | No. of seeds (weight grams) | Number of plants | Date collected | Collection number Collection location | Date stored | % Viability | Storage temperature |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BGA | 2,200 (6.28 g) | 50 | 26-Nov-2005 | KHB11 Eyre Peninsula | 9-Aug-2009 | 85% | -18°C |