Ross’s lily

Botanical name: Bulbinella rossii
Synonyms: Chrysobactron rossii; Anthericum rossii
Common name(s): Ross’s lily

About:
A spectacular subantarctic megaherb with broad fleshy leaves and dense golden-yellow flower spikes. It is one of New Zealand’s most iconic subantarctic plants and is featured on the New Zealand five-dollar note.

Natural habitat:
Open herbfields, tussock grasslands, disturbed sites, wet slopes, peaty ground and subantarctic island ranges.

Growing environment:
Cold tolerant, Frost tolerant, Wind tolerant, Wetland tolerant & Moist soil tolerant.
Prefers cool, open conditions with deep moist peaty soil and high rainfall.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand’s subantarctic Auckland Islands and Campbell Island / Motu Ihupuku.

Height:
Up to 1 m tall

Width:
Forms large clumps approximately 0.5–1 m wide

Flowering:
October – January

Fruiting:
December – March

Uses:

• Specialist native plant collections
• Subantarctic garden displays
• Cool-climate bog gardens
• Conservation plantings
• Educational and botanical collections
• Feature megaherb plantings

Appearance:

Growth habit:
Stout dioecious perennial megaherb forming bold clumps from a thick fleshy base.

Leaves:
Dark green fleshy strap-like leaves, 0.6–1 m long and up to 60 mm wide, with faint to prominent nerves.

Flowers:
Dense cylindrical racemes packed with numerous golden-yellow to sulphur-yellow flowers, sometimes faintly tinged orange.

Fruit:
Broadly ovoid capsules containing dark brown to black narrowly winged seeds.

Ecology:
A dominant and highly visible component of subantarctic herbfields and tussock grasslands. Flowers are visited by wētā, hoverflies, small flies and moths, while winged seeds are dispersed by wind.

Associated habitats:
Often grows with subantarctic megaherbs, tussock grasses and open herbfield species on Auckland and Campbell Islands.

How to grow:
Difficult in cultivation and best suited to cool, moist southern climates. Requires deep peaty soil, consistent moisture, good drainage and protection from heat or drying winds.

Propagation:
Can be grown from fresh seed, though germination may be slow. Should not be removed from the wild.

Cultural use:
A nationally recognised subantarctic plant featured on the New Zealand five-dollar note and named after polar explorer James Ross.

Garden value:
A dramatic and highly distinctive megaherb valued for its bold foliage and brilliant golden flower spikes. Best suited to specialist collections and cool-climate gardens that can replicate subantarctic conditions.