Iris orientalis Mill.

Strong clumps to 1.2 m tall. Rhizome 1–1.5 cm diam. Leaves relatively few, ± glaucous, 2–2.5 cm wide, ± = stems. Stems stout, terete, with 2–3 reduced leaves. Inflorescence unbranched, with 2–3 terminal flowers and 1–2 slightly divergent side-branches, each 1–2-flowered. Flowers long-pedicelled, c. 10 cm diam., white with conspicuous golden marks, faintly scented; tube much < ovary; outer segments with narrow horizontal claw ± 1 cm wide, yellow above, green below, widening abruptly to the deflexed, ovate; white limb, with large central golden patch; inner segments held stiffly at 45 angle, narrow-spathulate, white. Style-branches white, slightly wider than claw of outer segments, oblong-elliptic with acutely bifid crest. Capsule not seen.

[From: Healy and Edgar (1980) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 3.]

Flowering: Nov.–Dec.