Flora of New Zealand Series

Robust, tufted perennial. Stems to 80 cm high, 5 mm diam., stiff. Leaves < stems, to 1.5 cm wide, in basal fans, erect, bluish-green, few cauline, distant. Inflorescence elongate, c. ⅓ length of stem, rhachis flexuous, flower-clusters distant, sessile. Flowers 9-16 within 2 ovoid cuspidate spathe-valves, pale yellow, externally lilac-veined above, glabrous below. Capsule ± 1 cm long, broadly-cylindrical.

S. Canterbury - Prebbleton and Halkett cemeteries, Ashburton River bed.

(S. America; Chile)

First record:Smith 1904: 208, 223, as S. striatum Cav. [sic.].

First collection: Prebbleton, churchyard, naturalised in grass, W. R. Sykes, 28.11.1962 (CHR 130371).

FL., 11-12.