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Agavaceae:
Amaryllidaceae:
Cactaceae:
Iridaceae:
Anomatheca
Liliaceae:
Ranunculaceae:
Anomatheca viridis
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The Iridaceae family has some spectacularly showy flowers – but this isn’t one of them. In fact this must be one of the dreariest and most charmless flowers that the Iridaceae have to offer. It is now often classed as a Freesia believe it or not. It belongs to the Ixieae tribe (see classification of the Iridaceae). A corm bearing plant from S. Africa, it tolerates a wide range of climates (the Jerusalem Botanic Garden boasts a collection) though I doubt whether it is frost hardy.
In a cool greenhouse in England it flowers at the end of January. The flowers are ca. ½”/12 mm. across, green or sometimes yellowish, born on a long tube (1”/25mm.) with an inferior ovary. The anthers are very prominent, varying from pale yellow to brown. It appears to be self-fertile and sets generous amounts of seed - to the point where it can become a greenhouse weed. Definitely a collector’s item – you won’t see this at Chelsea.
