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Family : Iridaceae
An uncommon, but vigorous endemic perennial flax like locally abundant lily with broad sword shaped leaves to 1.5m high.It is found in the margins of forests from near sea level to the tops of the two imposing "lost world" like mountains-Mt Gower and Mt Lidgbird (rare north of Intermediate Hill) on World Heritage listed Lord Howe Island, situated around 2 hours by plane from Sydney off Port Macquarie on the Australian East Coast.
Lord Howe Island has been accurately described as "The Last Paradise" being an isolated volcanic island, having developed over its 6.9 million year existence 105 endemic species of the total 243 species found on the island.
Interestingly this plants closest 5 genus relatives are confined to South Africa.
The plant has white iris like flowers up to 7cm wide, with attractive yellow centres in spring from Sept. to early Dec. with the flower only opening for one day - opening in the early morning and closing by late afternoon.
Wedding Lily requires well drained moist soils in sun or part shade and should be protected from frost.
The plant is now available in cultivation in nurseries and I was fortunate to locate one recently on a trip to Burringbar Rainforest Nursery so I am looking foward to eventually cultivating others from seed.
The plant is quite similar but obviously different in colours to the yellow or purple flowering Dietes bicolor commonly planted around the world.
plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&am...
