Crocosmia paniculata Seeds

Family: Iridaceae

This is a very attractive garden plant with a number of bright orange to red flowers in a full spike at the end of the flower stalk. The tall stalks make it desirable in a vase as a cut flower.

C. paniculata belongs to the Iridaceae family, which is commonly known as the iris family. Members of the family have mainly corms and rhizomes. They are also characterized by sword-shaped leaves, arranged in two ranks. The flowers may be regular or irregular, with three stamens and an inferior ovary. A cosmopolitan family, consisting of approximately 82 genera and 1 700 species. Thirty-eight genera and over half the species occur in South Africa.

Description

Crocosmia paniculata is a tall flowering plant of the family Iridaceae, native to South Africa. The orange-red flowers are bourne on tall spikes and very attractive making the plant a popular ornamental.

Derivation of name and historical aspects
The genus name is derived from Greek words krokos meaning saffron and osme meaning smell. This came about because when dried flowers are placed in warm water, they emit a strong smell of saffron. 

The main characteristics of the genus Crocosmia is that the flower lobes are spreading and the plants are dormant in winter. There are nine species in this genus, and seven of them occur in South Africa.

Uses and cultural aspects
It contributes significantly in its environment, as its seeds are eaten by birds and bush pigs feed on the corms. It is also used in traditional medicine to treat dysentery.