The Iris Family
Image: Joan Keyter
Rodney Moffett (Research associate, Dept. of Plant Sciences, UFS) contributing with a series of articles regarding the more interesting plants in the Clarens Village Conservancy.
SOME OF THE MORE INTERESTING PLANTS IN THE CLARENS VILLAGE CONSERVANCY. No. 4
Members of the Iridaceae are a group characterized by long strap-like leaves and flower parts in 3’s or 6’s, and having only 3 stamens. The most well-known are the bearded irises found in many gardens. These are, however, not indigenous, having originally come from the northern hemisphere.
Indigenous members of this family occurring in and around the Conservancy are genera such as Moraea, Gladiolus, Watsonia, Hesperantha, Schizostylis, Dierama, Crocosmia, Tritonia and Aristea.
Moraea
(named after the wife of the Swedish botanist, Linnaeus).
Closest to the garden Iris, two Moraea’s occur here, viz: Moraea tripetala, dwarf and mauve and M. alticola, found in higher parts.
Moraea alticola
Image by Wim Wybenga
Gladiolus
(Latin name for a sword, referring to the leaf blades).
Four species locally, viz: Gladiolus dalenii, G.crassifolium, G. papilio and G. saundersii (the latter rare, one plant seen so far).
Gladiolus dalenii.
Image: Anneke Kritzinger
Gladiolus crassifolius
Image: Wim Wybenga
Gladiolus papilio
Image: Anneke Kritzinger
Gladiolus saundersii
Image: Rod Moffett
Watsonia lepida
(after William Watson, 18th century English scientist).
Only one species here, Watsonia lepida. Often in large populations.
Watsonia lepida
Image: Anneke Kritzinger
Schizostylis coccinea
(Schizo, Gk for split; stylis, Latin, referring to style).
One species here. Schizostylis coccinea. River lily. Found in wet places.
Schizostylis coccinea
Image: Wim Wybenga
Hesperantha
(Hesperos, Gk for evening; anthos Latin for flower).
Two species in the CVC., viz: Hesperantha coccinea (formerly included in Schizostylis) found In wet places and H. schelpeana. Latter rare.
Hesperantha coccinea
Image: Anneke Kritzinger
Hesperantha schelpeana
Image: Rod Moffett
Dierama
(Diorama, Gk for funnel, referring to shape of flower).
One species locally. Dierama robustum. Common name, Hairbells.
Dierama robustum
Image: Anneke Kritzinger
Crocosmia
(Krokos, Gk for saffron; osme, Gk for smell).
One species in the CVC, Crocosmia paniculata. Gardeners also know it as Montbretia.
Crocosmia paniculata
Image: SANBI
Tritonia
(Triton, Latin for weathercock, referring to the stamens).
One species in the CVC. Tritonia lineata.
Tritonia lineata
Image: Wim Wybenga
Aristea
(Arista, Latin for point, referring to the sharp pointed leaves).
One species in the CVC, Aristea woodii. Blue flowers rare in this family.
Aristea woodii
Image: Wim Wybenga