Cape York lily, Native Ginger, Native Turmeric, Aussie plume
A tropical plant. It prefers well drained soil in a protected heavily shaded position. They can grow in the sun. It needs a wet summer and a dry winter. It is drought and frost tender. It grows naturally in sandstone country on the fringe of monsoon forests near streams. It needs an alkaline pH. In the Cairns Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 8-12. Coffs Harbour Botanical Gardens.
Also known as:
Anngarranjngarranj, Curcuma
Edible Portion
- Rhizome, Root
Where does Cape York lily grow?
Found in: Australia, Britain, Cuba, Indonesia, Micronesia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Yap
Notes: The plant has been used as a contraceptive. There are about 50 Curcuma species. They are mostly in SE Asia.
Growing Cape York lily, Native Ginger, Native Turmeric, Aussie plume
Cultivation: Plants are grown by division of the clump. They can also be grown from seed.
Edible Uses: The roots are roasted and eaten.
Production: In Australia, plants flower in November to April and fruit in April.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuber | 65 | 1 | 2.1 | - | - | 3.8 | 80.6 |
Cape York lily, Native Ginger, Native Turmeric, Aussie plume Photos
References
Beasley, J., 2011, Plants of Tropical North Queensland - the compact guide. Footloose publications. p 77
Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 308
Brock, J., 1993, Native Plants of Northern Australia, Reed. p 131
Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 151, 198
Cribb, A.B. & J.W., 1976, Wild Food in Australia, Fontana. p 148
Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1984, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 3. Lothian. p 135
Garde, M., et al, 2003, A Preliminary List of Kundedjnjenghmi Plant Names. Northern Land Council. (Arnhem Land, Australia)
Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 78
Jones D, L, 1986, Ornamental Rainforest Plants in Australia, Reed Books, p 267
Lazarides, M. & Hince, B., 1993, Handbook of Economic Plants of Australia, CSIRO. p 70
Lim, T. K., 2015, Edible Medicinal and Non Medicinal Plants. Volume 9, Modified Stems, Roots, Bulbs. Springer p 30
Lim, T. K., 2016, Edible Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Plants: Volume 12 Modified Stems, Roots p 6
Llamas, K.A., 2003, Tropical Flowering Plants. Timber Press. p 365
Low, T., 1992, Bush Tucker. Australia’s Wild Food Harvest. Angus & Robertson. p 83
Morley, B.D., & Toelken, H.R., (Eds), 1983, Flowering Plants in Australia. Rigby. p 353
Nicholson, N & H., 1996, Australian Rainforest Plants 2, Terania Rainforest Publishing. NSW. p 21
Scarth-Johnson, V., 2000, National Treasures. Flowering Plants of Cooktown and Northern Australia. Vera Scarth-Johnson Gallery Association. Cooktown, Australia. p 169
Townsend, K., 1994, Across the Top. Gardening with Australian Plants in the tropics. Society for Growing Australian Plants, Townsville Branch Inc. p 150