Dietes bicolor Seeds - Indigenous Perennial Bulb Seeds - Flat Ship Rate

Dietes bicolor Seeds

Yellow Wild Iris, Peacock Flower; Uintjie, Poublom

With its unusual flowers, attractive shape and ease of cultivation, the yellow wild iris is a versatile garden plant. The genus name "Dietes" is derived from the Greek "dis" which means twice and "etes" which means an associate and is drawing attention to the position of this genus between Moraea and Iris which are its two relatives. The species name "bicolor" means two-coloured. Dietes bicolor forms clumps of erect sword-shaped leaves. The adult plant is approximately 1m wide and 1m tall. The leaves are 1 to 2cm wide, light green in colour and have a double central vein. They are arranged in flat fans similar to other members of the iris family. The plant spreads by means of its modified stems (rhizomes), which are located below the soil surface. The flowers are about 60 mm in diameter, flat, light yellow with brown markings and are produced on the ends of much branched flower stalks. The flowers only last for one day, but because so many buds are produced the plant is almost always in flower from October until January (spring and summer). Joffe reports that the roots of D.bicolor were traditionally used as a charm to protect and strengthen the wearer.