Clinton residents Vic and June Moody were puzzled when about two months ago a giant green stem began to shoot up by their front gate.
Mr Moody said the unidentified specimen, which they had not planted during their 40 years at the property, rapidly added another metre of growth recently, and burst into attractive flower.
Only when the couple read last Thursday’s Otago Daily Times did the identity of the mysterious monster become clear.
"The paper had [Wanaka gardener Loris King] up a ladder with what turned out to be a Himalayan lily," Mr Moody said.
"Apparently they only flower once every seven years, but we’ve got no idea how it got here. We’ve never seen it before."
The volunteer firefighter and school bus driver said the triffid-like behemoth had since become something of a local celebrity, with townspeople dropping by for a look.
"He’s been christened ‘Big Boy’. People are fascinated."
Big Boy had been tied to a post to protect him against wind damage, and might be in for some further enhancements shortly, Mr Moody said.
"We’re just putting up our usual Christmas lights outside, so he might get his own set of illuminations."
