Thysanotus tuberosus

Location & distribution maps

Common name:         Common Fringe-lily

Conservation status: . . .

Etymology:   

• The species name tuberosus refers to the crisp tasting edible root

Flowers:

• Flowers form from September to April

• The three petaled flowers are purple, with frilly edges, and only last for one day

• They are among the more colourful wildflowers in south eastern Australia

Fruit:                            

Leaves:         

• The leaves are linear in shape, and round at cross section towards the top

Stem & branches: 

Roots:         

Habit:        

• A perennial herb that grows from 20 cm to 60 cm tall

Habitat:   

• Semi-arid to coastal areas receiving more than 1300 mm of rain per year

• Often found in open country, heathlands or in dry sclerophyll woodland

Distribution:                  

• Endemic to south eastern Australia

Additional notes:     

• Sub-species

  • The tepals are somewhat longer and wider in subsp. tuberosus, being 10 to 19 mm long, and around 10 mm wide

  • In subsp. parviflorus the inner anthers are smaller, and straight to slightly curved

Sources of information:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thysanotus_tuberosus (2024)