Tricoryne elatior
yellow rush-lily
Overview
Tricoryne elatior is a tufted perennial herb in the family Asphodelaceae, producing wiry, branching stems 8-20 inches (20-50 cm) tall from a short rootstock. The narrow, grass-like leaves are mostly basal and often wither by flowering time, leaving the slender green stems to carry much of the photosynthesis. From spring into summer the branch tips bear small, six-petalled yellow star-shaped flowers about 0.4-0.6 inch (10-15 mm) across, each opening in the morning and twisting closed by the afternoon. Each flower lasts a single day, but new buds open in succession over many weeks. The fruit splits into small one-seeded segments. It grows across much of Australia, in open forest, woodland, and grassland in all mainland states and Tasmania, on a wide range of well-drained soils. The plant tolerates drought and light frost once established and reshoots from its rootstock after fire or grazing. The wiry, open form gives a see-through, airy effect rather than a solid clump. Flowering is reduced in heavy shade, and the plant can be hard to place because the foliage is sparse. It self-seeds in open ground.
Native Range
Tricoryne elatior is native across Australia, occurring in all mainland states and Tasmania. It grows in open forest, woodland, and grassland on a wide range of well-drained soils.Suggested Uses
Grown in native grassland, meadow, and rockery plantings, where the see-through wiry stems weave among other low plants. It suits dry, sunny borders and revegetation of open ground. The flowers draw native bees and small insects.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 1'8"
Width/Spread8" - 1'4"
Bloom Information
Yellow star-shaped flowers open from spring into summer, roughly September to February in the native range. Each flower lasts a single morning, twisting closed by afternoon, while new buds open over many weeks. Flowering is reduced in shade.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-10 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 in full sun to light shade in free-draining sandy or loamy soil. Water during establishment, after which the plant tolerates drought. Light frost is tolerated once established, and the plant reshoots from its rootstock after fire or grazing. Little feeding is needed, and rich soil produces soft growth. Cut spent stems back to the base to tidy the clump after flowering. Self-sown seedlings can be moved while young.Pruning
Cut the wiry stems back to the base once flowering finishes to keep the plant tidy. The rootstock reshoots in the following season. No other pruning is needed.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing