Flora of New Zealand Series

Asphodel

Short-lived perennial, roots fleshy-fibrous. Leaves densely tufted, linear, 12-25 cm × 2-4 mm, fleshy, striate, hollow, semicylindric to ± trigonous, finely scabrid. Scape simple or branched, 20-60 cm high, firm. Racemes to 20 cm long, lax; pedicels erect, articulate at middle, bract acuminate. Flowers c. 1 cm long, 2 cm diam., white or pale pink; segments spreading, each with a conspicuous green or purple median vein. Staminal-filaments dilated and ciliate at base. Capsule c. 5 × 5 mm, retuse, valves with few large transverse furrows. Seeds c. 3.5 mm long, fusiform-trigonous, black.

N. North Auckland - Doubtless Bay, Awanui; Auckland - Auckland City, Whitianga, Whakatane; near Gisborne City; Hawkes Bay - Napier, Hastings, S. Nelson - Boulder Bank, Westport [recorded by Townson (T.N.Z.I. 39, 1907,386)]; Otago - Oamaru. Usually near the sea on the foreshore or on coastal waste land.

(Mediterranean)

First record: Kirk 1869a: 142.

First collection: Mangonui, T. Kirk, 17.4.1868 ().

FL. 7-9. FT. 9-12.