MORAEA PAPILIONACEA SEEDS INDIGENOUS ENDEMIC 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 papilionacea is a South African endemic species from the Western Cape where it is found from the Cederberg Mountains to Bredasdorp where it is predominantly found growing among Fynbos mostly on sandstone soils. It grows to 15cm tall and has lovely scented salmon pink and yellow flowers with yellow nectar guides. This plant flowers from spring to summer. Seeds of this species are best sown during autumn.