Arthropodium is a genus of herbaceous perennial plants in the subfamily Lomandroideae of the family Asparagaceae, order Asparagales. The genus comprises roughly a dozen accepted species distributed across Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, and Madagascar, making it one of the few plant genera with a range spanning both Australasia and the Indian Ocean.
Plants in the genus are typically clump-forming perennials with strap-like or grass-like leaves arising from the base. Flowers are small and star-shaped, borne on branched or simple stems, and are often white or pale lilac. The name derives from the Greek arthron ('joint') and pous ('foot'), referring to the distinctively jointed pedicels that carry the individual flowers — a diagnostic feature of the genus.
The most widely cultivated species is Arthropodium cirratum (rengarenga or renga lily), a New Zealand endemic prized as an ornamental for its bold, arching foliage and sprays of white flowers. It holds cultural significance in Māori tradition and is known by the names rengarenga and maikaika. A. bifurcatum is another New Zealand species that has gained popularity in gardens, partly because it is less susceptible to slug and snail damage than A. cirratum.
Australian species include the fragrant A. milleflorum (pale vanilla lily) and the smaller A. minus (small vanilla lily), both found in south-eastern Australia. The genus previously included A. strictum (chocolate lily) and A. fimbriatum, both of which have been reclassified into the closely related genus Dichopogon.
Etymology
The genus name Arthropodium derives from the Greek words arthron ('joint') and pous ('foot'), referring to the jointed pedicels — the small stalks bearing each individual flower. This articulated foot-stalk is a characteristic feature that helps distinguish the genus.
Distribution
Arthropodium is native to Australia (including Western Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania), New Zealand (North and South Islands), New Caledonia, and Madagascar. Australian species such as A. milleflorum and A. minus are concentrated in the south-east, while New Zealand species such as A. cirratum and A. bifurcatum are endemic to that country. A. neocaledonicum is restricted to New Caledonia, and A. caesioides to Madagascar.
Cultivation
Arthropodium cirratum (rengarenga or renga lily) is widely grown as an ornamental garden plant, valued for its bold, arching foliage and sprays of white flowers. In recent years A. bifurcatum has become a popular alternative, as it tends to suffer less damage from slugs and snails. Both species are suited to shaded or semi-shaded positions and are commonly used in New Zealand and temperate garden plantings.
Cultural Uses
Arthropodium cirratum (rengarenga or maikaika) is a plant of cultural importance in Māori tradition in Aotearoa New Zealand, where it has historical uses as a food source and has significance in customary practice.
