Australian native mystery
Mary Sue Ittner (Mon, 13 Sep 2010 10:46:33 PDT)

Dear Roland,

I wondered if that plant could be a Wurmbea. That was my other idea.
But there are 30 species of that genus endemic to Australia according
to the latest volume of Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants and they
only picture a few and it didn't look like any of them. The Wurmbea
biglandulosa picture in that book shows a pink subspecies. The
description of that species says there are pink nectaries situated a
third of the way from the base which I couldn't see in your picture.
http://picasaweb.google.nl/bulborum/…

On my first trip to Australia I often thought I had FINALLY figured
out different plants only to be told repeatedly that I was wrong
since there are so many species and field guides only select a few to
illustrate. Knowing where the plant was seen becomes really helpful
for making an accurate identification.

I'm glad I was able to help you sort it out.

Mary Sue