#2357 - Libertia micrantha - Mikoikoi
AKA Libertia pulchella, and native iris. Named after Marie-Anne Libert (1782-1865), a Belgian botanist and mycologist, and one of the first women plant pathologists.
Widespread on both islands, but only in forests with high rainfall or near riverbanks. Easily grown from fresh seed and by dividing established plants, and can be grown in pots, but slow growing and moist soil.
The genus is found in South America, Australia, New Guinea, and New Zealand, and eight species are endemic to New Zealand. Many Libertia species are polyploid - some of NZ's species are hexaploid or even dodecaploid. Alas, micrantha is merely diploid, with a chromosome count of 38.
Whakapapa Village, North Island Volcanic Plateau, New Zealand