Class
Family
Genus
Classification
Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Wachendorfia thyrsiflora L., Syst. Nat., ed. 10. 864 (1759)
Vernacular Name(s):
Red root
Description
Tall, rhizomatous, with sturdy erect scape to 2 m high, swollen at ground level, base brilliant red when cut; roots brilliant red. Leaves to c. 1 m × 7 cm, light green, strongly plicate, glabrous, leathery, persisting at base of plant when dry; sheath brilliant orange-red at base. Flowers many, 3–4 cm diam., mustard-yellow, bracteate, in erect, ± cylindric, short-branched panicles; branches bracteate, 4–9-flowered, 7 cm long near base of panicle, 2 cm long near top, clothed with short glandular hairs. Scape compressed pilose, orange-red tinged below; bracts leaf-like, regularly spaced. Perianth-segments c. 2cm long, free, spreading. Stamens 3; ovary superior, stigma minute. Capsule c 1 cm long, ± globular, strongly 3-lobed. Seed ± globose, covered with long black hairs.
[From: Healy and Edgar (1980) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 3.]
Biostatus
Exotic
Phenology
Flowering: Oct.–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.
