Flora of New Zealand Series

Kaffir Lily [Editorial note: used historically, no longer used as it is offensive.]

Tufted rhizomatous evergreen perennial. Stems 60-90 cm × ± 3 mm, stiff, erect. Leaves < stems, to 30 × 1 cm, stiff, erect, slightly fleshy; 4-5 basal, distichous; 3-4 shorter, cauline; upper bract-like. Spikes 10-15-flowered; spathe-valves 2, green, tinged purple, 2.5- (3) cm long, ± = tube. Flowers c. 5 cm long, ± 5 cm diam., bright crimson; tube very narrow throughout, brownish, ± = widely spreading, ovate, acute lobes. Styles-branches 3- (4), slender, subulate, red, ± 2 cm long. Capsule 1.5 × 1 cm, oblong. Seeds ± 1.5 mm long, angled, brown.

N. North Auckland - Kaitaia, Hokianga; Wellington - Manawatu, Masterton, Wellington City. S. Nelson; Marlborough - near Blenheim; Westland; Canterbury. In swampy ground, on edges of water races and along damp roadsides; well-established.

(S. Africa)

First record: Healy 1958: 546.

First collection: Karori, Wellington, Reservoir, in abandoned garden, A. J. Healy, 15.4.1945 (CHR 33935).

FL. 3-5.

A colourful but non-troublesome garden escape, preferring damp habitats, recognised by its regular, bright crimson flowers, and slender rhizomes.

Although S. coccinea may not be detected amongst grass when in the vegetative state it forms conspicuous colonies along roadside drains and water races, weeping roadside banks, and in grassy places in low-lying wet ground in cemeteries. It is very noticeable in parts of the west coast, S. Id, and in the Prebbleton and Kirwee localities, Canterbury.

Spread appears to be by seed carried by water, and perhaps on race and drain cleaning machinery.