Botanical name
Moraea ramosissimaFamily
IridaceaeCommon Name
Vleiuintjie, Giant IrisDescription
Sturdy cormous geophyte up to 120cm, with zig-zag like branched stems. Leaves several in a two-ranked fan, channelled and shiny green. Large yellow flowers with darker yellow nectar guides on the outer tepals, enclosed in pale green, acute spathes; anthers red. This species flowers in large stands after fire, flowers lasting from mid-morning to late afternoon.
The very spiny root system helps prevent attacks by moles.
Latin: ramosissimus = very branched; referring to the much branched stem of this species.
Habitat
Damp sandy or stony flats and slopes mostly after fire
Flower Date
October to December, mostly after fire