Wachendorfia thyrsiflora
Common names
blood root
Biostatus
Exotic
Category
Vascular
Structural class
Herbs - Monocots
Flower colours
Yellow
Detailed description
Clump-forming, tuberous perennial. The basal leaf blades are hairless, entire, parallel veined and pleated. The rhizome is a distinctive red colour, containing a red fluid rich in arylphenalenone pigments. Dramatic bright yellow star-shaped flowers are produced on stalks up to 2.5m tall.
Conservation status
Not applicable
Detailed taxonomy
Family
Ecology
Flowering
October, November, December
Year naturalised
1973
Origin
South Africa
Reason for introduction
Ornamental