Arthropodium strictum
syn. Dichopogon strictus
Chocolate Lily
The Chocolate Lily tends to grow in colonies on well-drained but moist locations on either side of the Main Road. Grass-like leaves 7-40cm. long grow around the base of the plant. Arching stems of up to 1m. support the flowers, which appear from September to December. The blue-violet, chocolate scented flowers are 2-3 cm. across and consist of three broad and three thin petals, with prominent anthers. Seed capsules change from being soft and green to brown and brittle as they ripen. Each capsule contains 4-6 seeds that are black and firm when mature, from late November through December. Cut entire stalks before all the capsules have opened and place upside down in a paper bag till they dry completely and release the seed. Store for two to three months before sowing in autumn.
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Burchardia umbellata
Milkmaids
Milkmaids grow in open, well-drained positions all around the school. Narrow grass like leaves up to 15cm. long grow around the base of the plant. Each stem grows up to 60cm. high with several flowers at the top. The honey scented white to pink flowers appear through spring, and open to 2cm. across, with six tepals (a combination of sepals and petals) and six brownish tipped stamens. Diamond shaped compartmented seed capsules ripen to a red-brown colour and turn brittle with maturity. Seed can be collected in late November and early December. Propagation is difficult, but germination can be enhanced by treating the seed with smoked water (available from specialist nurseries) and incorporating some soil from around the parent plant in the growing medium. Seed needs to be stored for 2-3 months, then planted in autumn.
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Caesia calliantha
Blue Grass Lily
The Blue Grass Lily grows in dry sunny spots around the school, mainly on the top of the cutting. Long grass like leaves grow up to 30 cm., arising from the base of the plant. Lilac to blue flowers with contrasting yellow stamens occur in spring, followed by round, green seed capsules which do not change colour when mature. Seed ripeness can be determined by opening the capsules- seed should be black and firm. Store seed for 3-4 months after collection, then sow in autumn. Germination may take up to five months.
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Dianella revoluta
Black Anther Flax Lily or
Spreading Flax Lily
This species of Dianella grows in the more sunny, well-drained or dry locations. The linear leaves grow from the base of the plant up to 70cm. long and 4-15mm. wide. They are leathery, with curled under edges and a prominent central vein forming the revolute shape used in the name. In this area the Flax Lily may flower from August through to as late as May. Many flowers are held on long stems, each purple to blue, 7-12mm. across, with six rounded lobes and six distinctive yellow and brown anthers. The purple to blue fleshy berries become soft when mature and contain 2-3 shiny, black hard seeds. Remove the fruit from the seed by soaking in sugary water, then treat with smoked water.(Available from specialist nurseries) Germination is erratic and may take 4 months. Propagation by division is more successful and relatively easy.
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Diuris pardina
Leopard Orchid
Leopard Orchids grow in colonies from tuberous rootstock, and can be mainly seen adjacent to the school car park and on the other side of the Main Road. Two to three narrow channelled leaves grow to 20cm. long. Flowers are easily recognised by their erect, ear-like petals. They are bright yellow with distinct dark brown blotches, with 2-6 held on stems that reach 30cm. high. Flowering time is from August to November. The Leopard Orchid is pollinated by native bees. Seeds will only germinate around the parent plant. They also increase in numbers by producing daughter tubers underground, each capable of growing a new plant. These tubers can be removed and grown on in a medium that has a portion of soil from around the parent plant.
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Thysanotus patersonii
Twining Fringe LilyThe Twining Fringe Lily is a trailing herb that grows in moist but well drained situations around the school. Its many stems twine around other small plants. Thread-like leaves grow from the base of the plant then wither as the square stems develop chlorophyl and take over the job of food manufacture for the plant. The purple flowers which appear in spring are 1-2 cm. across, and consist of three rounded, fringed petals and three narrow petals. The seed capsules contain 4-6 seeds which turn from pale green to black when ripe, from November through to early December. These can be difficult to collect due to the low population and small amount of seed available. Germination of the seed is eratic, and would probably be assisted by treatment with smoked water, which is available from specialist nurseries.
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Wurmbea dioca
Early Nancy
The Early Nancy is the first lily to flower in the spring each year. It grows in well-drained low nutrient situations. The plant grows from an underground tuber, with grass-like leaves 10-12cm. long, the base of which wraps around the stem. Flowers are white, in a spike of up to eight, with six tepals (a combination of petal & sepal) with a purple stripe around the base. Plants bear either male or female flowers. Female flowers are shown above, male have six yellow anthers. Seed capsules are ready to harvest from November to early December, the seeds turning from cream to red-brown when mature. Store seed in paper bags until the autumn and expect germination 3-5 weeks from sowing. Use fresh seed for best results.
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