MORAEA ELLIOTTII SEEDS INDIGENOUS SOUTH AFRICAN PERENNIAL IN PORT ELIZABETH

The genus Moraea belongs to the Iridaceae family and is a close relative of the genus Iris. It is accepted that it evolved independently from Iris itself, which is restricted to the Northern Hemisphere. Therefore, it is strictly an African genus extending from Nigeria and southern Ethiopia, into the African highlands down to the southern tip of Africa where winter rainfall is predominant. Many are indigenous to South Africa. It is in the winter rainfall area where one finds the highest concentration of Moraea species. They have long narrow basal leaves, sometimes only one per corm and large yellow, pink, orange, or bicolor flowers with six fairly equal tepals. The genus name is a tribute to the English botanist Robert Moore. Moraea s have iris-like flowers. They make good potted plants and are suitable rockery plants too. Most enjoy well-drained soil and full sun to flower best. Moraea elliottii is a South African indigenous species from the Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Western Cape Provinces. It was previously known as Moraea juncifolia, Moraea macra, Moraea stewartae and Moraea violacea. Commonly known as Bloutulp in Afrikaans this summer growing species grows to 50cm tall with a terete/channelled leaf. From spring to autumn it bears attractive blue-violet flowers with yellow to orange nectar guides.