Iris foetidissima L.

Small tufts to a large clumps with rather drab flowers. Rhizome to 1.5 cm diam., red-brown. Leaves leathery, = or slightly > stem, 1.5–2.5 cm wide, with unpleasant smell if bruised. Stems 60–80 cm high. Scapes 2–4-flowered, unbranched; spathe-valves green with membranous margins. Flowers to 10 cm diam., usually dull yellow with greenish-brown markings, more rarely dull brownish-purple; pedicel c. 4. times > ovary; tube c. ½ length of ovary; outer segments c. 5 × 1.5 cm, lanceolate, gradually narrowed to base; inner segments < outer but > style-branches, claw very narrow, limb spathulate. Style-branches brownish-yellow, c. 1 cm wide, spathulate, lobes of crest rounded. Capsule c. 6 cm long, more narrowed at base than at apex, persistent when dry, with each locule opening and twisting, exposing 2 rows of large, scarlet, rounded seeds, 5 × 5 mm, remaining firmly attached.

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

Flowering: Nov.–Dec.