Iridaceae

Crocosmia Planch.

First published in Fl. Serres Jard. Eur. 7: 161 (1851)
This genus is accepted
The native range of this genus is Sudan to S. Africa, Madagascar.

Descriptions

Iridaceae, Peter Goldblatt. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1996

Morphology General Habit
Perennials with large persistent corms with fibrous tunics
Morphology Leaves
Leaves several, the lower 2-3 sheathing the base (cataphylls); foliage leaves plane or plicate, mostly basal, the cauline much reduced
Morphology Stem
Stem terete, usually branched
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Inflorescence a spike, usually inclined or horizontal; bracts coriaceous, fairly short, the inner ± as long as the outer
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Flowers shades of orange to reddish, actinomorphic to strongly zygomorphic with stamens then arched under the upper tepal, this sometimes much larger than the others; tube cylindric, funnel-shaped or dimorphic curved
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style
Style exserted, the branches filiform or apically broadened, entire or notched apically
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Capsules globose to depressed and 3-lobed, ± coriaceous
Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds
Seeds globose, smooth or lightly wrinkled, few per locule.
[FTEA]

Iridaceae, P. Goldblatt. Flora Zambesiaca 12:4. 1993

Morphology General Habit
Perennial herbs with large corms, aerial parts dying back annually; corms with fibrous tunics.
Morphology Leaves
Leaves several, the lower 2–3 sheathing the stem base (cataphylls); foliage leaves plane or plicate, mostly basal, cauline leaves much reduced.
Morphology Stem
Stem terete, usually branched.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Inflorescence a spike, usually inclined or horizontal; floral bracts coriaceous, fairly short, the inner about as long as the outer.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Flower colours in shades of orange to reddish, actinomorphic to strongly zygomorphic with stamens arched under the upper tepal, this sometimes much larger than the others, perianth tube cylindric, funnel-shaped or curved with a narrow cylindrical lower portion and a broad cylindrical upper portion.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style
Style exserted, the branches filiform or apically broadened, entire or notched at the apex.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Capsules globose to depressed and 3-lobed, more or less coriaceous; seeds globose, hard and shiny, few per locule.
[FZ]

Sources

  • Flora Zambesiaca

    • Flora Zambesiaca
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Flora of Tropical East Africa

    • Flora of Tropical East Africa
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Kew Backbone Distributions

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2026. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

  • Kew Names and Taxonomic Backbone

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2026. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0