Flora of New Zealand Series

Very robust, to 1.8 m high. Corm c. 4 cm diam., depressed-globose; tunic strongly fibrous, reticulate above. Stems to 2 cm diam. Leaves 60 × 3 cm, broad-ensiform with thickened yellowish margins. Inflorescence profusely branched, many-flowered; spathe-valves green. Flowers 4.5-6 cm long, 3.5-4.5 cm diam., white; tube broadly funnel-shaped above, ± 3.5 cm long; lobes spreading, to 3 cm long. Capsule not seen.

N. North Auckland - near Kumeu; Auckland - Auckland city, Raglan, Hamilton; Wellington - Moores Valley (Wainuiomata), Wellington City. S. Nelson City. Garden escape in grass.

(S. Africa; a single clump was discovered c. 1886 in the Tulbagh district of Cape Province but the sp. has never been found in the wild although it is now one of the commonest in cultivation throughout the world)

First record: ‡

First collection: Wellington, Bolton St Cemetery, established in grass, A. J. Healy, 30.10.1945 (CHR 33805).

FL. 10-11.