Botanical name

Moraea unguiculata

Family

Iridaceae

Common Name

Klein Wituintjie
Moraea unguiculata
Moraea unguiculata
Moraea unguiculata
Moraea unguiculata
Moraea unguiculata
Moraea unguiculata

Description

Cormous geophyte up to 50cm, sometimes branched. Leaf solitary, basal, linear, channelled, usually exceeding the stem and trailing; spathes herbaceous, becoming dry above, pointed, dark brown. Small flowers white, cream or brownish, rarely violet; nectar guides with brown spots; inner tepals tricuspidate with inrolled or straight central cusp; anther and style branches diverge strongly.

Latin: unguis = nail of human finger; culus = diminutive; referring to the pronounced slender claw (lower part) of the tepals.

Habitat

Sandy slopes

Flower Date

September to November