Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Asparagales Link
Family
Iridaceae Juss.
Genus
Hesperantha Ker Gawl.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Hesperantha coccinea (Backh. & Harv.) Goldblatt & J.C.Manning, Novon 6: 263 (1996)
Synonymy:
  • ≡ Schizostylis coccinea Backh. & Harv., Bot. Mag. 90: Pl. 5422 (1864)
 Description

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.

[From: Healy and Edgar (1980) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 3 as Schizostylis coccinea Backh. & Harv.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
 Bibliography
Backhouse, J.; Harvey, W.H. 1864: Schizostylis coccinea. Crimson Schizostylis. Curtis's Botanical Magazine 90: Pl. 5422–next 2 pp.
Goldblatt, P.; Manning, J.C. 1996: Reduction of Schizostylis (Iridaceae) in Hesperantha. Novon 6: 262–264.
Hobbs, J.; Hatch, T. 1994: Bulbs for New Zealand Gardens. Godwit Press, Auckland.