Commemorating Professor Hermann Ludwig Ferdinand von Helmholtz (1821–1894) German physicist, anatomist and physiologist, one-time professor at Koenigsberg, Heidelberg and Berlin.

Large rhizomatous herbs. Leaves stiff. Flower clusters open, branched. Flowers with leafy bracts, white or pink. Stamen 1, anther straight. Ovary 3-chambered. Fruit a capsule or indehiscent containing numerous seeds.

Grown for the strong foliage forms and soft coloured flower clusters. H. acorifolia F. Muell. is sometimes grown in warm districts.

Division of clumps or occasionally by seed.

Flowers white to pink; anther straight; fruit berry-like.

3 species, 2 from Australia and 1 from New Guinea. Australia has 2 native species from Queensland and New South Wales.

Source: Spencer, R. (2005). Philydraceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.