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Wachendorfia thyrsiflora

Flowers of Wachendorfia thyrsiflora.<br>Photographer: John Smith-Dodsworth, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>.

Virginia Lake, Whanganui. Dec 2007.<br>Photographer: Colin C. Ogle, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>

Empty capsules, Virginia Lake, Whanganui.<br>Photographer: Colin C. Ogle, Date taken: 10/04/2016, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>

Immature fruiting head in homestead garden, Bushy Park, Whanganui.<br>Photographer: Colin C. Ogle, Date taken: 22/11/2016, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>

Portion of immature fruiting head in homestead garden, Bushy Park, Whanganui.<br>Photographer: Colin C. Ogle, Date taken: 22/11/2016, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>

Immature fruit in homestead garden, Bushy Park, Whanganui.<br>Photographer: Colin C. Ogle, Date taken: 22/11/2016, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>

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Common names

blood root

Biostatus

Exotic

Conservation status

Not applicable

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.

Detailed taxonomy

Genus

Wachendorfia

Family

Haemodoraceae

Authority

Wachendorfia thyrsiflora L.

Ecology

Flowering

October, November, December

Year naturalised

1973

Origin

South Africa

Reason for introduction

Ornamental

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