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Famine Foods
Compiled by Robert Freedman

AMARYLLIDACEAE

The Amaryllis Family

Atamasco atamasco (L.) Green; Adans. (syn. Zephyranthes atamasco, Herb. App.; Amaryllis Atamasco, Blanco.). North America: bulbous roots eaten by Creek tribe in times of scarcity. Vernacular name: Atamasco Lily. Ref. PICKERING, STURTEVANT, YANOVSKY.

Crinum defixum, Ker.-Gawl. India: root eaten. Ref. WATT.

Hypoxia filiformis, Baker. Zululand (Ubombo district): roots boiled and eaten. Vernacular name - Zulu: Isinongwe. Ref. HELY- HUTCHINSON.

Lycoris aurea, Herb. China: roots eaten. Reported to contain two inactive alkaloids. Vernacular name: Lycoris. Ref. READ.

Lycoris radiata, Herb. China: root eaten. Ref. READ.

Narcissus albus, Haw.; Mill.; Spach. France: root recommended as a famine food: boiled, dried or reduced to a flour and cooked as a porridge. Ref. PARMENTIER.