Ixia maculata L.

Grass-like, tufted. Corm globose, 1.5–(2.5) cm diam., tunic fibrous-membranous, creamy. Stems to 70 cm high, slender, wiry. Leaves 4–5–(8), narrow-linear, ± ⅔ length of stem, 3–6–(8) mm wide, erect, distinctly fine-veined. Spike short, axis ± flexuous, occasionally branched, with 4–12 close-set flowers; spathe-valves ± 1 cm long, membranous, very light red-brown. Flowers 4–5–(6.5) cm diam., cream to orange-yellow with dark brown to reddish-black circular patch in centre and usually ± reddish on outside, entirely cerise in some large plants often with branched inflorescence; tube (0.5)–1–1.5–(2) cm long, very narrow; lobes 2–2.5 cm long. Capsule 3.5–4 mm long, oblong, greenish.

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

Flowering: Sep.–Oct.