Maori Onion

Bulbinella hookeri is a species of perennial herb in the family Asphodelaceae and the subfamily Asphodeloideae. It reaches 120 cm (50 in) in height. Its leaves are strap-like in character and usually smooth and narrow, the longest and widest leaves were measured at 75 cm (30 in) long and 30 cm (10 in), respectively. B. hookeri's flowers are bright yellow in colour. Its roots are tuberous. Its peduncles are 15–50 mm × 2.5–7 mm long, the racemes are 7.5–40 × 1.5–2.3 cm long, its pedicels are usually about 1.5 mm long, but can be 4 mm long. Its capsules are 7–9 × 4–5.5 mm long. Its infructescences (fruit clusters) are usually arranged above the leaves. Its seeds are approximately 5–6 mm long.

Bulbinella hookeri is endemic to New Zealand; its range covers the North, South, and Stewart Islands. In the North Island, it occurs on Mount Taranaki, Maungapōhatu, and partly in the north-western part of the Ruahine Range. In the South Island, it occurs in Canterbury Region, Marlborough Region, Nelson, and as far west as Cobb Valley. B. hookeri's northern limits are Lake Taupō and Mount Taranaki, and its southern limit is approximately the Waiau Uwha River in Canterbury. B. hookeri's 2023 assessment in the New Zealand Threat Classification System was "Not Threatened".

Habitat. New Zealand's Bulbinella species prefer colder habitats and soils with high water content. B. hookeri typically occurs in mountainous areas, but it is still common in areas 150 m (500 ft) above sea level. It is commonly found in boggy areas, shaded slopes, seepages, valleys with high rainfall, and other wet places. B. hookeri principally occurs in tussock grasslands. It prefers areas with sun or partial shade.

A 2018 study of the native bee, Lasioglossum sordidum, foraging in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, reported that B. hookeri was occasionally visited by the species. B. hookeri is likely pollinated by insects, such as bees and flies, and its seeds are later dispersed by the wind.

The etymology (word origin) of B. hookeri's genus name, Bulbinella, derives from the Greek βολβός, simply meaning 'bulb' (an underground plant storage structure). Both words Bulbine and Bulbinella translate to English as 'little bulb'. The specific epithet (second part of the scientific name), hookeri, is named in honour of Hooker, who first described the species with Colenso. The species is commonly known as the Māori lily. In the Māori language, the species is known as riki and waoriki.