| Tigridia pavonia | |
|---|---|
| |
| A yellow-flowered form | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Iridaceae |
| Genus: | Tigridia |
| Species: | T. pavonia
|
| Binomial name | |
| Tigridia pavonia | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
|
List
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Tigridia pavonia is a species of flowering plant in the iris family Iridaceae. Common names include jockey's cap lily,[3] Mexican shellflower,[4] peacock flower,[4] tiger iris,[5] and tiger flower.[4] This summer-flowering bulbous herbaceous perennial is widespread across much of Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. It is naturalized in Ecuador and Peru.[4][6]
The leaves are narrow and lance-shaped. The three-petalled blooms occur in a variety of colours with strongly contrasting central markings.[7] They open early in the morning and close before dusk. Blooms are successional throughout summer. Plants bloom in the first year after sowing.[citation needed]
Tigridia pavonia is cultivated as an ornamental plant. It prefers a sheltered position in full sun, in sandy but fertile soil. As it is only hardy to 5 °C (41 °F), in colder areas bulbs should be lifted and stored throughout the winter months.[7]
The roasted bulbs are edible and have been used by the American Indians and Indigenous peoples of Mexico. It has a chestnut-like flavour.[5]
The aphid Aphis newtoni may be found on this plant.[8]
