About Microseris lanceolata (Walp.) Sch.Bip.
Species Identification
Microseris lanceolata (Walp.) Sch.Bip. is an Australian alpine herb with yellow flowers. It is one of three plants referred to as murnong or yam daisy, alongside Microseris scapigera and Microseris walteri.
General Distribution
This species is found in southern parts of Australia, including Victoria, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory.
Victorian Habitat
In Victoria, it is restricted to alpine and subalpine herbfields of the eastern ranges, and is often locally abundant.
Altitude Comparison with Congeners
Unlike Microseris lanceolata, Microseris walteri and Microseris scapigera grow in lower altitude areas.
Nursery Mislabeling
Because the binomial classification of these species was only clarified recently, commercial plant nurseries frequently mislabel Microseris scapigera specimens as Microseris lanceolata.
Literature Tuber Misinformation
Existing literature about murnong also often incorrectly states that Microseris lanceolata produces a sweet-tasting tuber; this characteristic actually applies to Microseris walteri.
Aboriginal Food Context
The edible tuberous roots of murnong plants were an important food source for some Aboriginal Australian peoples, but most murnong descriptions most closely match Microseris walteri, not Microseris lanceolata.
