Aussie Bushfoods: Early Nancy (Wurmbea dioica)
plant that it’s a shame to eat it!
Like quite a few of the pretty little herbaceous plants around in the South Australian bush in Spring, Early Nancy (Wurmbea dioica) can be eaten. Many of the plants around now have starchy tubers and roots that have been fattening up over winter, getting ready for Spring’s reproductive frenzy. Early Nancy is no exception.
I’ve only ever eaten one because they’re so tiny and pretty, but I can say it was kind of like eating a raw, nutty, potato. The flowers can be eaten to, but are pretty nondescript taste wise.
Please be careful this time of year, many orchids and other small plants are around and some are quite endangered. Early Nancy isn’t endangered, but why eat it?
If you’re determined to make Early Nancy your next meal, you can find them in the hills. Look for a small white flower with six white petals. Each petal has a pink/purple arc (called a ‘nectary band’) on them that when combined make a circle on the complete flower. There can be from 1 – 8 flowers and the plant only has 1-3 leaves. Very pretty!
Very interesting. I love learning about foraging. Hopefully one day I can try it down under!
Thank you, go foraging and have fun!
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Nice post @ligayagardener. Flower early nancy is really beautiful. Taste wise also it must be OK.
Thanks. Its kind of bland, but really pretty! Many bushfoods don't suite the Anglo Saxon palate
Great post! Thanks for sharing!