About Libertia chilensis (Molina) Gunckel
Nomenclature and Synonymy
Libertia chilensis (Molina) Gunckel has the synonym Libertia formosa. Common names for this species are New Zealand satin flower, snowy mermaid, and Chilean-iris.
Taxonomy
It is a flowering plant species that belongs to the iris family, Iridaceae.
Native Distribution
It is native to the Juan Fernández Islands, central and southern Chile, and southern Argentina.
Introduced Distribution
It also grows wild as an introduced species in California's San Francisco Bay Area and San Bernardino County.
Growth Form and Horticultural Status
This plant is a rhizomatous evergreen perennial, and it has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Cultural Etymology
The name of the Calle-Calle River located in Chile's Los Ríos Region comes from the Mapuche word for this plant.
