Sparaxis bulbifera (L.) Ker Gawl.

Tufted, grass-like, (10)–20–50–(65) cm high. Corm 0.6–1 × 1–1.5 cm, white; tunic soft, closely woven, grey-brown, fibrous. Leaves (4)–6–9, variable in length, rarely reaching level of lowest flowers, 0.5–1 cm wide, in basal fan, few cauline, bract-like above, sheathing the branches; cormils several in most leaf-axils. Inflorescence 1–8–(15)-flowered, usually branched; spathe-valves 1.5–2 cm long, white with minute brown streaks, ± cuspidate, often shallowly to deeply lacerate, usually red-brown towards tip. Flowers to 4.5 cm long, 4–5 cm diam., almost entirely yellow-cream; tube c. 1.5 cm long, yellow; lobes cream on inside, the outside entirely cream or often broadly streaked with purple, occasionally some lobes or even whole flowers entirely purple. Stamens asymmetric. Capsule light green, 1 cm × 7 mm. Seeds ± globose, 2–2.5 mm diam., reddish-brown.

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

Flowering: Sep.–Oct.