Iris orientalis Mill.
Strong clumps to 1.2 m tall. Rhizome 1-1.5 cm diam. Leaves relatively few, ± glaucous, 2-2.5 cm wide, ± = stems. Stems stout, terete, with 2-3 reduced leaves. Inflorescence unbranched, with 2-3 terminal flowers and 1-2 slightly divergent side-branches, each 1-2-flowered. Flowers long-pedicelled, c. 10 cm diam., white with conspicuous golden marks, faintly scented; tube much < ovary; outer segments with narrow horizontal claw ± 1 cm wide, yellow above, green below, widening abruptly to the deflexed, ovate; white limb, with large central golden patch; inner segments held stiffly at 45 angle, narrow-spathulate, white. Style-branches white, slightly wider than claw of outer segments, oblong-elliptic with acutely bifid crest. Capsule not seen.
N.Auckland City; Coromandel Harbour; Gisborne - south of Matawai; Wellington - near Feilding. S. Marlborough - near Wairau Bridge; Canterbury - Lincoln.
(Asia Minor)
First record: Healy 1958: 539.
First collection: "Between Halcombe and Stanway, near Feilding, grassy roadside, A. J. Healy 51/11/3, 21.11.1951, large patches estab. of vigorous aspect: noted in other localities in Feilding district" (CHR 68047).
Fl. 11-12.
This sp. has also been known in N.Z. as I. ochroleuca L. A yellow-flowered form which is named I. monnieri DC. in Redouté has also been collected in Canterbury, "Springs Road, Lincoln/Prebbleton boundary area, on bank beside water race", W. R. Sykes 175/67, 17.12.1967 (CHR 185162) and Auckland "North Head, Devonport, growing wild in waste land" A. E. Esler 4753 and S. J. Astridge, 3.10.1974 (CHR 276358). It differs from I. orientalis in being slightly shorter with slightly broader, deeper green leaves, and broader segments.
