Arthropodium strictum
chocolate lily
Overview
Arthropodium strictum is a tuberous perennial herb native to southeastern Australia, forming a clump of narrow, grass-like leaves 8-16 inches (20-40 cm) long. In spring and early summer it sends up slender, branching flower stems 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) tall carrying loose sprays of violet to purple flowers. Each flower is about 0.4-0.8 inch (10-20 mm) across with six spreading tepals and yellow anthers fringed with small tufts of hair. The flowers release a scent resembling chocolate or caramel, which gives the plant its common name. After flowering the foliage withers and the plant retreats to a cluster of fleshy underground tubers, staying dormant through the dry summer and reappearing with autumn rains. The tubers were a traditional food source for Aboriginal peoples. Flowering is brief, lasting only a few weeks, and the plant is inconspicuous outside its spring display. It grows in grassland, open woodland, and dry forest on well-drained soils.
Native Range
Native to southeastern Australia across South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania, where it grows in grassy woodland, native grassland, and open forest.Suggested Uses
Grown in native grassland restorations, rockeries, and cottage-style borders for its spring flowers and chocolate scent. Suited to containers where the summer-dormant habit is acceptable. The brief flowering period limits its display to a few weeks each year.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 2'
Width/Spread8" - 1'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
violet to purpleFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Arthropodium strictum grows in full sun to part shade on well-drained sandy or loamy soils. It tolerates extended summer drought by dying back to its tubers, so it needs little or no watering once dormant. Active growth and flowering occur from autumn through spring when soil moisture is available. The species suits rockeries, native grassland plantings, and containers, and self-seeds in open ground. It withstands frost to about 20 F (-7 C). Excess water during summer dormancy can rot the tubers in waterlogged soil.Pruning
No pruning is needed. Spent flower stems can be removed after seeding, or left to allow self-sowing. The foliage is left to die down naturally as the plant enters summer dormancy.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons