Moraea aristata (D.Delaroche) Asch. & Grabn.
Cormous perennial with a solitary, linear, flat, basal leaf and occasionally branched stems bearing white flowers with conspicuous, green, blue or violet central eyes on the outer tepals, in spring. To 35cm. [RHSE, Hortus, CECB].
Horticultural & Botanical History
‘It is a small delicate Iris, about a foot and a half high, with very narrow leaves, bearing at the top of the stalk one or at most two flowers, three of the petals are large and white, with a brilliant blue spot at the base of each, edged on the outer side with deep purple; the delicacy of the flower, and the eye-like spot at the base of three of the petals, render it one of the most striking plants of the genus.’ [BM 168/1791]. ‘The remarkable spot at the base of the outer laminae […] probably led Mr. Curtis into the mistake that this was Thunberg’s Iris pavonia. […] Found at the Cape, by Thunberg, growing abundantly on the hills below Duyvelsberg, in Swartland, and near Berg-River.’ [BM t.696/1803].
‘A most delicate and beautiful bulbous plant, from the Cape of Good Hope. It has been known for many years, but has always been scarce. [LBC no.1744/1833]. Vieusseuxia glaucopis was introduced to Britain in 1776. [JD]. OFG f.266/1854. ABR pl.364/1804. FS f.423/1848.
History at Camden Park
Listed in the 1845, 1850 and 1857 catalogues [B.443/1845].
Notes
Published Oct 19, 2009 - 05:25 PM | Last updated Jul 24, 2010 - 05:04 PM
Moraea aristata (D.Delaroche) Asch. & Grabn. | BM t.168/1791 | RBGS
| Family | Iridaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | South Africa, Cape district |
| Synonyms |
|
| Common Name | Peacock iris, Butterfly iris |
| Name in the Camden Park Record | Vieusseuxia glaucopis |
| Confidence level | high |