Common names
Broad-leaf Star-lily
Broad-leaf Nancy
Etymology
Wurmbea name after Friedrick Wilhelm von Wurmb, merchant and botanist in 18th century Batavia (Jakarta). Latifolia from the Latin 'latus' meaning broad or wide and 'folium' meaning a leaf; referring to the species broad leaves.
Distribution and status
Endemic to South Australia and found in the northern Mount Lofty Ranges, growing on heavy, often waterlogged soils of open forest and woodland. Native. Very rare in South Australia.
Herbarium regions: Flinders Ranges, Northern Lofty
NRM region: Northern and Yorke
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)
Plant description
Dioecious herb 15 cm high. Leaves 3 with the lower 2 similar, almost opposite, basal, with serrate margins, lanceolate to broad-lanceolate, to 8 cm long and 12 mm broad, with the inflorescence almost concealed between them, the upper leaf very short, lanceolate, just below or partly concealed within inflorescence. Inflorescence spike with 2-6 white flowers, females small, rounded, hidden at base of leaves, males larger more angular, exserted from leaf-base. Nectary 1 per tepal, a raised, transverse band, pale, anthers purple. This subspecies differ from the other subspecies found in the South Australia by the relatively shorter, broader, subopposite leaves, female spikes that do not extend beyond the leaves, and globose capsules. Flowering between June and July. Fruits are brown papery globular capsule to 4 mm long, globrous. Seeds are orange globular seed to 2 mm diameter. Seed embryo type is linear under-developed.
Seed collection and propagation
Collect seeds between August and September. Collect mature capsules, those turning pale straw colour and containing hard brown seeds. 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. From one collection, the seed viability was high, at 100%.
Location | No. of seeds (weight grams) | Number of plants | Date collected | Collection number Collection location | Date stored | % Viability | Storage temperature |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BGA | 1,900 (4.11 g) | 50+ | 1-Sep-2007 | RJB73635 Northern Lofty | 20-Jul-2009 | 100% | -18°C |
BGA | 3,100 (3.47 g) | 50+ | 8-Oct-2018 | Bundeleer Reservoir Northern Lofty | 24-Apr-2019 | 100% | -18°C |
BGA | 2,000 (2.54 g) | 100 | 1-Oct-2019 | Adrian Shackley Northern Lofty | 24-Jun-2020 | 100% | -18°C |
BGA | 778 (1.016 g) | 50+ | 26-Oct-2022 | BKB69 Northern Lofty | 20-Jun-2023 | 100% | -18°C |