Murnong

Murnong (Microseris walteri), also called yam daisy, is a small native daisy grown for its sweet, fleshy root. It stands only 10cm to 20cm tall and wide, opens golden yellow flowers 3cm to 4cm across in spring, and was once an important food plant across the southern states. This is the walteri form, which makes a single fat root rather than several thin ones.

Why you'll love it

• A food plant with a long history. Murnong was an important food plant for Aboriginal people across the south, and it is now undergoing a revival as gardeners grow it again.
• A sweet, fleshy root. Beneath the leaves sits a tuberous taproot, the part traditionally eaten. The walteri form carries one fatter root, so it is easier to lift than other murnong and sweeter tasting.
• Spring flowers with a clever habit. The daisies hang their heads in bud and lift upright when ready for pollinators, then give way to spiky globe seedheads.
• Small and tough. At 10cm to 20cm it slots into a rockery, a raised bed or a corner of the vegetable patch, and it is drought tolerant once established.

Where it works best

Bush food beds. Group plants 20cm apart in a sunny bed of their own, so each root has room to fatten and the spring flowers show you where the patch is.

Rockeries and raised beds. In the wild it grows in dry, open bushland, so sharp drainage and full sun are what it asks for. A raised bed or a rockery pocket supplies both.

Deep pots. A deep, free draining pot on a sunny step gives the taproot room to develop.

Growing Murnong in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun gives the most flowers. Murnong grows wild from Western Australia through South Australia and Victoria to New South Wales and Tasmania, so it suits temperate and Mediterranean gardens best. Keep young plants frost free, ideally above 5C. In frost prone districts grow them in a pot under cover through the first winter.

Soil. Well drained soil is the one firm rule. Sandy loam and raised beds suit it, but a fleshy root will rot in wet clay.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly for around 12 weeks, until the plant is established. After that it is tough and drought tolerant, so a deep drink in a dry spring is plenty. Mark the spot where it flowers so you can find it again.

Pruning. None needed. Leave the spiky seedheads for interest or snip them off.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Murnong as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives small, which suits a plant that puts its energy underground. Plant it out or pot it up soon after it arrives, in free draining soil, and keep it moist while it settles.

Tube stock comes from our grower, who does not always have it. When there is none, the tube shows as sold out on this page, and the notify button emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse edible plants and bush tucker
• Bush tucker plants for the home garden
• More Australian native plants
• Plants that suit a rockery

Common questions

Which part of murnong do you eat?

The tuberous taproot is the traditional food. Grow it from a plant you have identified yourself, and read a good guide before eating any native plant for the first time.

How much water does it need?

Regular watering and a mulch for about 12 weeks while it establishes. Once settled it is drought tolerant.

Will it grow in my state?

It occurs naturally across the southern states, so it suits cooler and Mediterranean gardens well. In frost prone areas, keep young plants above 5C in a pot until they are established.