Burchardia umbellata

Family: Colchicaceae
Distribution: Open forests, woodlands and heath in all States, often in damp or swampy areas.
Common Name: Milkmaids
Conservation Status: Not considered to be at risk in the wild.
Derivation of Name: Burchardia….after Johann Heinrich Burckhardt, a German botanist
umbellata…. From Latin, umbella, a little shadow or umbrella and the suffix –atus, possessive of or likeness to, referring to the the flowers occurring in umbels (an umbrella-like arrangement with flower stems all arising from a common point).

General Description:

Burchardia is a genus of 2 species of perennial herbs. B.umbellata is widespread while B.multiflora is found only in Western Australia.

Burchardia umbellata is a grass-like plant with narrow, linear leaves to about 60 cm long by 1.5-4 mm wide. Flowers arise on a slender, 50-60 cm high stalk with two leaf-like bracts. The white flowers have a reddish centre and occur in clusters (umbels) of 2-10 flowers. Each flower is about 25 mm in diameter and may occasionally be tinged with pink. Flowering occurs in spring.

This species is not often cultivated as plants are rarely, if ever, available in nurseries. They require moist but well drained soils in a sunny or lightly shaded location. They are small plants which are inconspicuous when not in flower and are easily overwhelmed by more vigourous plants growing nearby. They are suitable for containers.

Plants can be propagated from seed which does not require pretreatment for successful germination. However, seed is not readily available from commercial suppliers.