Bloodroot Lily

Description:

Yet another first encounter for me was this very alien-looking plant. Haemodorum planifolium, commonly known as "bloodroot lily" (also blood-root) and "strap-leaf bloodroot", is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant in the family Haemodoraceae. An Australian native, it is endemic to QLD and NSW. The flowering stem can grow up to a metre tall, and flowers are black, 1-1.5cm long, in branched clusters on tall hairless stems that are reddish at the base. The seed cases are also black, as shown with this spotting. Also, here's a good image of the flowers.... https://apps.lucidcentral.org/plants_se_...

Habitat:

Spotted along the Racecourse Creek Track in Girraween National Park, southeast Queensland. Dry sclerophyll forest with sandy granite soils, substantial undergrowth and accumulated leaf litter. Sunny aspect, and looking fresh after recent rain. Here's some park info - http://www.rymich.com/girraween/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girraween_...

Notes:

This species has a couple of interesting uses. It is known as a "bloodwort" as a red dye can be made from its roots. Also noted as being used for an anti-venom. Not recommended for eating! https://www.survival.org.au/bf_haemodoru...