Family Index

Scientific Name

Wurmbea dioica

Family Name

LILIACEAE

Common Name

Early Nancy, Harbinger-of-spring

Status

Height

20-30cm

Flowers

Female flowers can be distinguished by a purple ovary at the centre of each flower; males have six obvious stamens.

Fruit

Capsule

Form

Small lily with erect flower stem bearing 3-5 white-petalled flowers, each with a purple band near the base.

Municipalities

Break O'Day; Central Highlands; Clarence; Derwent Valley; Dorset; Flinders Island; Glamorgan-Spring Bay; Hobart; Kingborough; Launceston; Northern Midlands; Sorell; Southern Midlands; West Tamar

Communities

Habitat Notes

Grasslands and sedgelands, dry woodland edges, in wind-pruned coastal shrubbery, often persisting in poor quality pasture. North-east, East coast, Central Highlands and the South-west.

Site Tolerance

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

Soil Tolerance

General Notes

Propagated by seed. Seed released within 3-14 days of seed maturity. This species generally has separate male and female plants. Suitable below powerlines.

Propagation Details

Propagation Calendar

Flowering Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Seed Collecting Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Sowing Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Cutting Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Seeds turn from cream to red-brown when ripe. Capsules open soon after seed is mature. Harvest entire flower stalk and place upside down in a large bag. Dry until capsules are fully open, clean by sieving.

Seed Treatment Method

Seed Storage Life

Viable Seeds Per Gram

Seed Treatment Notes

Germination Time

Suitable for Direct Seeding

Cuttings

Expected Time to Take Root

Expected Time to Plant Out

Propagation by Division N.B. Transplant only from nearby to avoid disease.

Cutting Notes