Ottelia ovalifolia (R.Br.) Rich.

Robust, tufted, scapose perennial. Leaves all basal; juvenile submersed. linear, transparent, short-petiolate; older leaves ovate or oblong, obtuse, floating, with 7 strong nerves connected by fine cross-veinlets; petioles septate, to 40 cm long. Flowers bisexual, large, white solitary and sessile within a 2-lobed, tubular, 6-ribbed spathe c. 6 cm long, terminal on a stout scape. Perianth-tube > spathe. Sepals 3, green, 1.5–3 cm long; petals 3, to 4 cm long, fragile, white with orange base. Stamens 6–12, orange. Stigmas 6–8, bifid. Capsule narrowly ovoid, 2–5 cm long, beaked, enclosed within spathe. Seeds many.

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

Flowering: Dec.–Mar.