Arthropodium minus

Description

Arthropodium minus, the small vanilla lily, is a species of herbaceous perennial plants native to the Southern Hemisphere. Valued as bush tucker as the roots are edible raw. Found in a variety of habitats from the coast to alpine areas of eastern Australia. Eucalyptus forests, woodlands and sub-alpine meadows, favouring drier habitats than Arthropodium milleflorum. The grasslike leaves have a strong scent of vanilla. The plant is deciduous in drought, and resprouts after fire. Some 35 cm in height, the flowers which appear September�December are purple or pink. The fruit matures during January�February and contains about 6 seeds. A. minus is a garden ornamental easily cultivated from seed.