Hesperantha
Hesperantha coccinea
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Iridaceae
Subfamily: Crocoideae
Tribe: Croceae
Genus: Hesperantha
Ker Gawl.
Type species
Hesperantha falcata
(L.f.) Ker Gawl.
Synonyms[1]
  • Hesperanthus Salisb.
  • Schizostylis Backh. & Harv.

Hesperantha is a genus of cormous flowering plants in the family Iridaceae. The genus name is derived from the Greek words hesperos, meaning "evening", and anthos, meaning "flower".[2]

There are approximately 79 species, mostly native to southern Africa, but with four species reaching tropical Africa. All except one grow from corms.[1][citation needed]

The synonym Schizostylis is widely used in British horticulture for the single rhizomatous species S. coccinea, widely cultivated as a garden flower, and with numerous cultivars.[3] Common names include scarlet river lily, kaffir lily and crimson flag. [1]

Species

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  2. ^ Manning, John; Goldblatt, Peter (2008). The Iris Family: Natural History & Classification. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press. pp. 172–75. ISBN 978-0-88192-897-6.
  3. ^ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.


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