Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Asparagales Link
Family
Iridaceae Juss.
 Subordinate Taxa
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Babiana Ker Gawl. ex Sims, Bot. Mag. 15: 539 (1801)
Vernacular Name(s):
Baboon flower
 Description

Summer-green perennial. Corm small; tunic very tough. Stems usually hairy. Leaves usually strongly plicate. Spike simple or branched, pubescent. Flowers rich blue, mauve, crimson, cream or white, subzygomorphic, each within 2 lanceolate, hairy spathe-valves; tube straight, cylindric at base, widening to funnel-shaped above. Stamens asymmetrical. Style-branches short, undivided, usually flattened towards tip. Capsule many-seeded.

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

 Biostatus
Exotic
Number of species in New Zealand within Babiana Ker Gawl. ex Sims
CategoryNumber
Exotic: Fully Naturalised2
Total2
 Bibliography
Hobbs, J.; Hatch, T. 1994: Bulbs for New Zealand Gardens. Godwit Press, Auckland.
Ker Gawler, J.B. 1801: Ixia Conica. Orange-coloured Ixia. Curtis's Botanical Magazine 15: t. 539–next 3 pp.
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.