Xeronema callistemon W.R.B.Oliv.

Plants forming compact clumps, sts several metres in diam. Rhizome to 5 cm. diam., with ∞ cord-like roots. Lvs 60–100 × 3–5 cm.; lamina of very firm texture with ∞, subequal nerves, thickened margins and subacute tip; sheath to 30 cm. long, thick and very fleshy. Peduncle > lvs, c. 1 cm. diam., mostly covered by 3–4 sheathing green bracts of decreasing size. Raceme 15–35 cm. long, inclined to the peduncle so as to be almost horizontal; fls crowded; pedicels 10–15 mm. long, bracteate, those from the under side bending upwards so that all fls stand vertically. Fls red in all parts; tepals 10–15 mm. long, the outer c. 3 mm. wide, the inner c. 1.5 mm. Staminal filaments scarcely flattened, to 2 × tepals; anthers to 4 mm. long, pollen tangerine-coloured. Ovary c. 4 × 2 mm., oblong-trigonous, stipitate, the base surrounded by a thickened ring; nectar accumulating in a large viscid white drop on the concavity over each septum; style reaching to anther-level, hardening and remaining stiff and erect in ripe fr.; ovules in two short rows of about 8 in each locule, the placentae occupying the middle third of the axis. Capsule 9–11 mm. long including narrow gynophore of 2 mm., c. 8 mm. diam. below, narrower above, the valves drying hard and firm with the thickened margins separating widely above, narrowly below. Seeds us. fewer than ovules, ovate in outline, c. 1.6 × 1 mm., black, finely reticulate on the inner keeled face, the outer rounded face covered with semi-transparent blunt papillae.

[From: Moore and Edgar (1970) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 2.]

Flowering: Oct.–Nov.–(Dec.); Fruiting: Dec.–Feb.