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Arthropodium strictum

Common Names: 
Chocolate Lily

A lily that grows through the wetter months of the year. Soft green leaves to approx. 30cm high emerge in April. In some areas these may be deep green, in other areas they have a silvery sheen. Tall stems to about a metre emerge in September to November, bearing pink flowers scattered along their length. In good growing seasons these may be produced through early summer, in a droughty year they are likely to shrivel before flowering.
Lily flowers have 6 petal-like segments. In this species the three inner petals are broad and ruffled while the outer ones are strap like and curl back.Flowers smells like chocolate or vanilla.
Ball-learing sized pods follow the flowers and the stems of these form an attractive sculptural feature through the late summer in garden or in the bush.
The numerous tubers were a source of food for aboriginal peoples. They have a faintly carrot like flavour

Gardening Hints: 

The chocolate-like perfume of the flowers in spring/summer adds scent, color, novelty and seasonal interest. Best used to in small to large clusters. Plants die back after flowering.

New growth in spring can be predated by slugs and snails.

Propagation: 

Entire seed heads can be collected and placed in a paper bag once the top 2-4 seed heads are ripe. Most of the remaining seed heads will ripen in the bag in a few weeks. Germinates readily if sown in late winter to early spring. The seed is usually of a very good quality, independent of the season or the number of individuals in the parent population.