Schelhammera undulata
lilac lily
Overview
Schelhammera undulata is a small, rhizomatous perennial herb in the family Colchicaceae, growing 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) tall and spreading by slender underground rhizomes to form loose colonies. The thin, soft leaves are lance-shaped with wavy margins, 1-3 inches (2.5-8 cm) long, carried on weak, arching stems. In spring and summer, star-shaped flowers about 0.6-1 inch (1.5-2.5 cm) across open near the stem tips, each with six spreading lilac to purple-pink tepals. Small dry capsules follow flowering. The plant grows in the shaded, moist understorey of rainforest and wet eucalypt forest in eastern Australia, from Queensland to Victoria, spreading slowly across the forest floor. It needs constant shade and humidity and quickly declines in dry, sunny, or exposed positions. The arching stems are thin and easily flattened by foot traffic. Its lilac flowers and spreading habit suit shaded fern gardens, moist rockery pockets, and the understorey of established native plantings in frost-free to mild climates.
Native Range
Schelhammera undulata is native to eastern Australia, occurring from southeastern Queensland through New South Wales to eastern Victoria. It grows in the moist, shaded understorey of rainforest and wet eucalypt forest, often near creeks and in gullies.Suggested Uses
Grown in shaded fern gardens, moist rockery pockets, and the understorey of established native plantings in frost-free to mild climates. The lilac flowers and low spreading habit suit damp, sheltered corners and the edges of woodland paths. A strict need for shade and moisture limits its use in open or dry gardens.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 1'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in spring and summer. Star-shaped lilac to purple-pink flowers with six tepals open near the tips of the arching stems over several weeks. Small dry capsules form as the flowers fade.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
lilac to purple-pinkFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 1-4 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
Grow Schelhammera undulata in full to part shade on moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Maintain the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, mimicking the damp forest floor where it grows. Shelter from direct sun, drying wind, and frost, all of which damage the soft foliage. A leaf-litter or shredded bark mulch maintains humidity and feeds the surface rhizomes. In containers, use a free-draining, organic-rich mix kept in shade.Pruning
No formal pruning is needed. Spent flowering stems and tatty leaves can be trimmed at ground level. Thinning crowded rhizomes in late winter keeps a colony healthy and within bounds.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons