Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Asparagales Link
Family
Iridaceae Juss.
Genus
Romulea Maratti
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Romulea rosea (L.) Eckl., Topogr. Verz. Pflanzensamml. Ecklon 19 (1827)
Synonymy:
  • ≡ Ixia rosea L., Syst. Nat., ed. 12. 2, 75 (1767)
Vernacular Name(s):
Onion grass
 Description

Slender tufts. Corm c. 1 cm diam., globose, rounded at base where smooth brown tunic splits into acuminate teeth bent to one side. Leaves 10–30 cm × 1–2 mm, rush-like, compressed-cylindrical, narrowly grooved, dark shining green. Scapes hidden by sheathing leaf-bases, 2–4–(10) from each corm, 5–15 cm long, stouter than leaves, semiterete, arched over after flowering; spathe-valves 2, long-persistent, outer longer, greenish with fine brown veins, inner with membranous reddish-brown flecked margins. Flowers lilac-pink, rosy-cerise or magenta, with yellow centre and violet-blue band at throat, 1.5–2 cm long, to 3 cm diam.; tube very short; outer lobes greener on back than inner. Capsules c. 1cm long, short-cylindrical, scapes straightening when capsules mature. Seeds 2 mm long, reddish-brown, globose-triangular.

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

 Biostatus
Exotic
 Phenology

Flowering: Aug.–Sep.

 Bibliography
Connor, H.E. 1977: The Poisonous Plants in New Zealand. Edition 2. Government Printer, Wellington.
Ecklon, C.F. 1827: Topographisches Verzeichniss der Pflanzensammlung von C. F. Ecklon. Reise-Verein, Esslingen.
Hobbs, J.; Hatch, T. 1994: Bulbs for New Zealand Gardens. Godwit Press, Auckland.
Linnaeus, C. von 1767: Systema Naturae, ed. 12. Vol. 2.