Ixia viridiflora

Ixia viridiflora. (Iridaceae) Green Kalossie. It is a winter-growing, summer-dormant, deciduous perennial. The root stock is a corm, usually about 10 mm in diameter. It is one of the taller ixias, with upright, narrow, grass-like leaves, 400-550 mm long. The inflorescence is a lax, many-flowered spike with 12 to 20 flowers per spike, on a slender stem, 500-950 mm long. Each flower is a brilliant turquoise-green with a conspicuous purple-black circular stain or ‘eye’ in the middle. Sowing : Seed is sown in autumn, thinly, in deep (min. 10 cm) seed trays, to allow for root development. The soil medium should be well drained, a recommended mix being 2 parts sand : 2 parts compost : 1 part loam or equal parts sand and compost, and the seeds should be planted 3-4 mm deep, covered with clean sand and kept moist and lightly shaded. Locality: Tulbagh. Harvest: December 2023