Moraea gawleri Seeds - Indigenous Endemic Perennial Bulb - Winter Blooming - 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 gawleri commonly known as Renosteruintjie is a South African endemic species from the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and Western Cape where it is found from Namaqualand to Humansdorp. It is most predominant in Fynbos and succulent Karoo where it can be found growing on sandy or clay slopes. Moraea gawleri has linear channeled leaves and yellow, cream, or brick red small short lived flowers that appear from late winter to spring. The flowers may be short lived but they bloom in profusion for 3-5 weeks. The seeds are best sown during autumn.