Atnwelarre (Pencil Yam) Flower and Kame (Seed)

Atnwelarre, the Pencil Yam, and Kame, the seed of this plant, are the subject of Freda's painting. The Dreamtime stories for both of these belong to her mother's country Alhalkere in the Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs. The Atnwelarre is a trailing herb or creeper, sometimes covering large areas, with bright green leaves, yellow flowers and long skinny yams (swollen roots). These are an important food source which can be eaten raw or cooked in hot sand and ashes.

In the Dreamtime there are two parts to the Kame story, one that belongs to Alhalkere and Atnangkere countries, and the other that belongs to Arnumarra country. Two different seeds were born that created two different species of Pencil Yam; one called Atnwelarre which belongs to Alhalkere country, and the other called Arlatyeye which belongs to Arnumarra country. The Atnwelarre and Kame stories are very important Dreamtime stories and ceremonies are performed to ensure its productivity as a food source and life form of the ancestors.