More Moraeas

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There is a wide variety and habit among the Moraeas. I have been concentrating on those that grow during the winter and bloom in the winter to spring time. There are also many that are summer blooming.
The first new one is Moraea sisyrinchium:

It is something for the person who wants to complete their collection.

I say that because of its habit. This opened at 4PM and by 6PM it was over. It requires some very attentive pollenators to produce seed.

Then there is the Moraea pendula, which used to be in the genus Homeria. This was moved into the Moraea genus, which is now a compilation of 5 groups.

This one is a bit of a disappointment because I had purchased some seeds under the name of Moraea marlothii, but it has turned out to be M. pendula. The big difference between the two, because they look very similar, is the pollen. M. marlothii has yellow pollen, and this has the orange-red pollen of M. pendula. Still a great looking flower!

Then there is Moraea vegeta. Not a tall plant – it is about 10"; but the color is what makes it special. There aren’t a lot in the buff to brown shades, so it makes up for the small size of the flower, which is 1½" across.

Not only is the flower a nice buff color, it combines well with the blue anthers. I had 3 different bulbs open at the same time, so the color difference is there.

The nectar guide is yellow, outlined in a dark brown with dark spots.

I saved the best for last. This is so-o-o good looking.
Moraea aristata. As the flower emerges, the back of the tepals start the show. Here it is open, but the spotting can be seen when it is closed.

Then it opens and this is what it looks like:

White with a bold purple to blue to black nectar guide. The tepals are stunted, which happens with a lot of the Moraea species. It also has a metallic blue anthers and yellow pollen.
Hopefully there will be more blooming towards springtime.

• 7 Feb, 2017
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