Unusual amongst our plants as it bears its leaves in two whorls around the stem. Arising from swollen tubers, the stems may reach nearly 60cm. Leaf whorls appear close to the top. Lower whorl is larger with 5–7 leaves each about 10cm long. Upper whorl has 2–4 leaves half as long as the lower ones. Flowers are terminally clustered, greenish yellow and drooping beneath the upper leaves. Berries produced are purple.

Common throughout

Edible portion is the tuber which can be removed from the humus, cleaned and eaten raw. It has a crunchy pleasant texture and mild starchy flavour.

Take no more than 10% of a colony as the plants are destroyed when the tuber is extracted.