Moraea inclinata Seeds - Indigenous Perennial Bulb - Combined Shipping - 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 inclinata is a summer flowering indigenous species that is usually found growing in damp grassland. It naturally occurs in the summer rainfall area of South Africa’s Eastern Cape, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal. It has a long narrow stem with a solitary leaf inserted well above the ground, close to the stem apex. Plants growing closer to the coast and those at lower elevations flower earlier in spring. Moraea inclinata bears gorgeous and huge blue-violet flowers with yellow nectar guides. The seeds are best sown during spring.