Flora of New Zealand Series

Fig. 25C.

Tufted, grass-like, to 20 cm high. Corm c. 2 × 1.5-2 cm; tunic grey-brown, closely woven. Leaves to 20 × 0.6-1 cm reaching to c. level of lowest flowers in basal fan; cormils few in lowermost leaf-axils. Inflorescence a spike; spathe-valves 2-3 cm long, marked with minute red-brown flecks, entire or lacerate at tip. Flowers (1) -2-5, ± 4 cm long, 4-5 cm diam.; tube c. 1 cm long, enclosed by spathe-valves; lobes variously coloured from deep orange-red through scarlet-red to dark purple-red, internally all with a dark brown blotch above bright yellow tube. Stamens symmetrical. Capsule not seen.

N. North Auckland - Opito Bay; Auckland City; Wellington City. S. Near Nelson City; Marlborough - Havelock, Picton. Garden escape in grass on roadsides, occasionally in parks under trees.

(S. Africa)

First record: Cheeseman 1883: 292.

First collection: Bolton St Cemetery, Wellington, R. Mason, 2.10.1946 (CHR 56160).

FL. 9-10.