Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Asparagales Link
Family
Asparagaceae Juss.
Genus
Herpolirion Hook.f.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Herpolirion novae-zelandiae Hook.f. (1853)
Vernacular Name(s):
Grass lily; Sky lily
 Description

Plants forming extensive grass-like swards; underground stems 1–2 mm. diam., to several cm. long. Lvs crowded in tufts of 6–8, distichous; lamina 1–6 cm. × 1.5–2.5–(4) mm., subfleshy, often glaucous, longitudinally folded, strongly keeled towards base; sheath to 1 cm. long, with conspicuous nerves; 2–3 subfloral lvs short and sheath-like, surrounding the base of the almost sessile fl. and fr. Fl. white to blue, large for size of plant; tepals c. 11–15 × 5 mm., the inner 3 slightly narrower. Stamens c. ½ tepal-length; filaments thicker towards base and there yellow and very finely puberulous. Style reaching to about anther-level; ovules c. 6 in each locule. Capsule c. 6.5 mm. long and slightly fleshy when fresh, when dry c. 4 mm. long and rather deeply sulcate, the valves horny at dehiscence. Seeds c. 2.2 mm. long, ± flattened, black, smooth, shining, us. fewer than ovules, sts only 1–2 per locule. 2n = 16.

[From: Moore and Edgar (1970) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 2.]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Non-endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: Nov.–Feb.; Fruiting: Dec.–Mar.

 Bibliography
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Barkla J.W.; Courtney, S.P.; Champion, P.D.; Perrie, L.R.; Beadel, S.N.; Ford, K.A.; Breitwieser, I.; Schönberger, I.; Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Heenan, P.B.; Ladley, K. 2018: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 22. [Not Threatened]
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Champion, P.D.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Norton, D.A.; Hitchmough, R.A. 2013: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012. New Zealand Threat Classification Series 3. Department of Conservation, Wellington. [Not Threatened]