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Took these shots of a plant growing on the vacant block next door to mine, not sure if it is a common 'weed' or a rare species never seen before! (I have never seen it before!) Can anyone provide an ID?

It is growing in SEQ on the Gold Coast Hinterland, stands approx 8 - 10" tall (20 - 25cm) and the stems have no leaves.

Image of plant in enviroment, semi shaded to full sun depending on time of day.


Closer crop of the two lower flowers.

looks similar to a NERINE, the leaves sprout later to feed the bulb after all the energy has been put into the flowering process

well the nerine got me looking in the right direction! it appears to be Colchicum

http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s1866743.htm

They are a very attractive flowers, I am no help with an ID, but it looks like we have an answer already.

Great lighting, did you use a diffused flash?

Hello Geoff,
Sorry mate it is not a Colchium. They like the cold and flower close to the ground.
It goes by a couple of names.......Zephyranthes grandiflora or Habranthus robustus being the two most widely used.
I would also suspect that these flowered not to long after a decent storm. They are commonly called storm lillies.
Much easier to grow than colchium too.
Regards Colin

Thanks Lightning for your suggestions as to ID but I feel Colin may have the correct ID although the description for the Zephyranthes grandiflora that I found on the net states bloom sizes of 10cm . The ones I have shown here are approx 5cm.

Zephyranthes grandiflora, common name Rosepink zephyrlily, Rosepink rain lily, Rosepink magic lily, Pink magic lily or Pink rain lily, is a perennial native of Central America and Mexico, with large (10 cm.), bright pink flowers and green strap-like leaves. They are found naturally in moist, open areas, often near woodlands. Another common name of this and other zephyranthes species, rain lily, refers to their habit of blooming soon after a heavy rainfall.

The Habranthus robustus which I found on the net somehow does not look quite the same. http://www.robsplants.com/plants/HabraRobus.php

Colin, as you suggest, these did appear after we had a storm and huge rainfall (100mm+). Thanks for the feedback.

Cameron, the lighting was provided by mother nature. Sunlight diffused by some cloud cover.

Hey Geoff,
There is a great deal of variation in these plants/flowers within the same species. You have a very nice one, with great colour. It could also be a hybrid with another Zephyranthes species as there are a few of these being sold about the place as well. Just to make life easier.