Annual or perennial rhizomatous aquatic herbs to 2 m or so tall. Leaves to about 0.5 m long, fleshy, iris-like, distichous at the base. Flower clusters spike-like and branched. Flowers about 1 cm wide, yellow, hairy outside, the inner whorl united to the stamen; bracts spathe-like; summer. Stamen 1, the anther twisted. Ovary hairy. Fruit a 3-valved capsule about 1 cm long.

Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria

Grown in damp areas for the strong foliage form and delicate yellow flowers.

Source: Spencer, R. (2005). Philydraceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.