Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Asparagales Link
Family
Iridaceae Juss.
Genus
Watsonia Mill.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Watsonia meriana (L.) Mill., Gard. Dict., ed. 8, 3, WAT–WAT 7th p (1768) – as Meriana
Synonymy:
  • ≡ Antholyza meriana L., Syst. Nat., ed. 10. 863 (1759)
 Description

Robust clumps 75–100 cm high. Corm 4–8 cm diam.; tunic of tough parallel fibres. Leaves slightly < stems, 1.5–2.5 cm wide, narrow-ensiform, margins conspicuous, yellowish. Inflorescence simple or branched, ± ½ plant height; spathe-valves appressed to stem, upper half membranous, often red. Flowers 6–10 cm long, 3–5 cm diam., rose-red, salmon-pink, pinkish-cream tinged with green, or white, ± translucent; tube 4–6 cm long only gradually widened above; lobes spreading, ± 2–3 cm long. Capsule ± 2 cm long, very hard, apex flattened. Seeds to 1.5 cm long, flattened, winged.

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

 Biostatus
Exotic
 Phenology

Flowering: Nov.–Dec.

 Bibliography
Hobbs, J.; Hatch, T. 1994: Bulbs for New Zealand Gardens. Godwit Press, Auckland.
Linnaeus, C. von 1759: Systema naturae per regna tria naturae :secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Vol. 2. Edition 10. Stockholm.
Miller, P. 1768: The Gardeners Dictionary. Edition 8. Vol. 3. London.