The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

Species

Wurmbea stricta

Etymology

stricta: From the Latin strictus 'upright, stiff'

Authority

Wurmbea stricta (Burm.f.) J.C.Manning & Vinn.

Family

Colchicaceae

Flora Category

Vascular - Exotic

Synonyms

Onixotis stricta, Onixotis triquetra, Dipidax triquetra,

Distribution

Local garden escape (e.g. into gravel driveway)

Habitat

Is said to prefer wet sites though grows in gravel over hard clay pan (seasonally wet) in New Zealand.

Features

Wurmbea stricta is a deciduous, winter-growing geophyte reaching up to 0.6 m high. The subterranean storage organ is a deep-seated, irregularly shaped corm surrounded by dark brown membranous outer tunics, and produces three narrow, very straight, erect or suberect, dark green leaves that resemble knitting needles. Its striking star-shaped flowers are produced alternately along an elongated spike, the tepals varying in colour from pure white to pale pink. Each tepal has a small claw at the base and two prominent, deep pink glands that produce nectar. Vast quantities of seed are produced in attractive erect, narrowly egg-shaped capsules. http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantwxyz/wurmbeastricta.htm

Flower Colours

Red / Pink

Year Naturalised

2015

Origin

northwest and southwest Cape, South Africa

This page last updated on 7 Mar 2016