Botanical name

Moraea vallisavium

Family

Iridaceae

Status

Rare

Moraea vallisavium
Moraea vallisavium

Description

Cormous geophyte up to 34cm. Solitary leaf, linear, unifacial, inserted shortly above ground level, 1-2mm wide, exceeding the stem but often falcate to trailing; stem more or less erect to inclined, unbranched, sheathing stem bract solitary; spathes herbaceous, inner 3-4mm long, outer about half as long as inner. Moderate sized yellow flowers, claws darkly speckled, with deep yellow nectar guides on the outer tepals, tepals 20-24mm long; anthers 5-6mm long reaching to the apex of the style branches; pollen red

Latin: vallis = valley, avis = bird; named after Vogelgat Nature Reserve 'Valley of the Birds' where this species was first discovered by Ion Williams.

Habitat

Steep south facing slopes that receive moisture from prevailing south-easter winds

Flower Date

December to January mostly after fire