- ≡ Chrysobactron rossii Hook.f., Bot. Antarct. Voy. I. (Fl. Antarct.) Part I, 72, t.44-45 (1844)
- ≡ Anthericum rossii (Hook.f.) Hook.f., Handb. New Zealand Fl. 285 (1864)
Dioec.; plant very stout, sts 1 m. tall and to 4 cm. diam. at base. Lvs 1.5–6 cm. wide, obtuse to subacute, tips recurved; nerves slightly prominent and easily felt in living lf. Peduncle to 1 cm. diam., us. < lf-length. Raceme to 15 × 6 cm., ± cylindric; fls very ∞ and densely crowded; bracts c. = pedicels in female and conspicuous in bud, in male < pedicels; pedicels 1–2 cm. long, swollen just below fl. Fls 10–14 mm. diam.; tepals oblong-ovate, spreading in ♂, in ♀ more erect and remaining so and hardening as fr. ripens. Stamens < tepals; anthers well filled with pollen in ♂, in ♀ filaments shorter and anthers abortive. Ovary c. 2 mm. long, broad to base. Capsule to 1 cm. long, broadly ovoid, without gynophore. Seeds 4–6 mm. long, dark and narrowly winged. 2n = 14.
[From: Moore and Edgar (1970) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 2.]
Flowering: (Oct.)–Dec.–(Jan.); Fruiting: Dec.–Jan.–Feb.