Moraea gigandra - 10 Seed Pack - Indigenous Endangered Endemic South African Perennial Bulb - New

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. Moraeas 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 gigandra is a South African endemic species from the Western Cape where it is found from Piketberg to Porterville. It is a strikingly beautiful Moraea that is endangered. There are only a few surviving populations on isolated sites in the northwestern Cape. It is easy to grow in cultivation and germination is easy. With its impressively eye-catching, mauvish blue to deep blue spring blooms, ease of cultivation and the largest flowers of all the peacock moraeas, Moraea gigandra is one of the most rewarding Cape irids to grow. The seeds are best sown during autumn.