Doryanthes excelsa

Even before the (Covid-19) closure of the Pavilions, few visitors to the Australian section would have noticed the extraordinary sight of the gymea lily in bloom - because the large cluster of bright red tubular flowers grows atop a 20 ft stem! Doryanthes excelsa, one of only two species in the Doryanthaceae family, is a succulent perennial with a rosette of sword shaped leaves. The emergence of this flower spike was noticed a year ago, 16 years after planting, and its progression skywards has been followed with fascination.

The plant is endemic to coastal areas of New South Wales where it was named gymea by the indigenous people who used the roots and stem as food. Gymea, a suburb of Sydney, is named after the lily. Looking through the window to the right of the doors of the central dome - and looking up! - the giant lily can be viewed.