Moraea

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 alticola
Moraea alticola is a South African indigenous species from the Eastern Cape, Free State and
KwaZulu-Natal Provinces. It is a plant from the higher parts of the Drakensberg Mountains and is
also found in Lesotho. It is the largest, most robust plant in the genus with one solitary leaf and
pale-yellow flowers with darker-yellow nectar guides.
Moraea amabilis
Moraea amabilis is a South African endemic species from the Northern Cape and Western Cape
Provinces where it can be found growing on clay soils or sandy loam from the Bokkeveld
Escarpment and Olifants River Valley, across the Roggeveld Escarpment to Worcester and
Barrydale. This species is very similar to Moraea tripetala but the leaves differ and the inner
tepals of the flowers are shorter.
Moraea angusta
Moraea angusta is a South African endemic species and naturally occurs in the Western Cape
from the Cederberg Mountains to Knysna growing among Fynbos. The species name angusta
means narrow or slender which presumably refers to its single rigid leaf. Moraea angusta grows
from 20 to 40cm in height. During spring it bears beautifully scented yellow flowers. The seeds
are best sown during autumn.
Moraea aristata
Moraea aristata is an endangered species which is endemic to South Africa where it survives only
in a small protected area near Cape Town. It is white with dark blue nectar guides sometimes
outlined in another color. Moraea aristata is a winter-growing, summer-dormant bulb. Cultivating
this species is easily achieved and it flowers prolifically in ideal conditions. Moraea aristata is a
member of the group of species known as peacock moraeas that have showy rounded outer
tepals with prominent nectar guides or eyes that attract beetle pollinators. The mature plant
reaches 2035 cm high and produces a single long, linear, smooth basal leaf up to 40 cm long.
The large, Iris -like flowers are unscented and borne at the tip of the main stem and occasionally
on short side branches. Flowers are produced over a period of three to four weeks. This group

includes well known species such as Moraea gigandra, Moraea tulbaghensis and Moraea villosa.
The seeds are best sown during autumn.
Moraea bellendenii
Moraea bellendenii is another endemic Moraea. It grows very tall bearing yellow flowers during
spring. In nature it is found on granite or clay slopes in the southern parts of the Cape. The
inner tepals are tricuspidate with short lateral lobes and a slender central cusp curved inwards.
The tepals curve upward. It is closely related to Moraea tricuspidata which has white flowers and
tepals that spread horizontally. It often divides into smaller corms. It grows best in the ground or
a very deep container. The seeds are best sown during autumn.
Moraea bituminosa
Moraea bituminosa is a South African endemic species from the Western Cape Province where it
is found growing on granitic and sandstone slopes and flats from the Groot Winterhoek
Mountains to Agulhas. It grows to 40cm tall with sticky stems. During summer it bears bright
yellow flowers with deep yellow nectar guides.
Moraea britteniae
Moraea britteniae is a South African endemic species and naturally occurs in the Eastern Cape
from Knysna to Grahamstown growing in Fynbos and Grassland on sandy slopes. It grows up to
45cm in height and has a single leaf that clasps the stem. During early spring it bears pale
yellow to cream flowers. The seeds are best sown during autumn.
Moraea ciliata
Moraea ciliata is indigenous to South Africa where it occurs over the complete winter rainfall
region, as well as adjacent areas of the summer rainfall region of southern Africa. The plants are
normally found on clay or sandy slopes and flats and can resist diverse environments, from high
rainfall on the Cape Peninsula to less than 120 mm in parts of Namaqualand and the Karoo.
From the ground arise ciliate leaves up to 15cm in length. From winter to spring it bears a
solitary white, blue, yellow or brown vanilla scented flower. The seeds are best sown during
autumn.
Moraea collina
Moraea collina for which Homeria collina is a synonym is an indigenous species with a single
linear leaf and orange to salmon-pink flowers with a prominent yellow eye from winter to spring.
These flowers are usually around 5 cm in diameter and found in groups of four on stems
reaching 75 cm. It is commonly known as Cape Tulip and is found on lower mountain slopes and
flats on sand or clay in the southwest Cape. It makes a good "filler" growing where many other
things will not grow, including full sun. The seeds are best sown during autumn.
Moraea cookii
Moraea cookii is a South African indigenous species from the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and
Western Cape Provinces. It was previously known as Homeria cookii and Homeria pillansii. It has
a single leaf 30cm to 60cm long. From winter to spring it bears yellow flowers.

Moraea cooperi
Moraea cooperi is a rare South African endemic species from the Western Cape Province where it
is found growing on seasonally wet flats, in sandy soil or rocky alluvium at the base of high
mountains from Tulbagh to Worcester to Caledon and Stanford. It was previously known as
Gynandriris apetala, Gynandriris stenocarpa, Moraea apetala and Moraea stenocarpa. It grows to
25cm tall with branched stems. During summer it bears pale yellow 3-tepalled flowers with
delicate purple veins.
Moraea elegans
Moraea elegans is a rare South African endemic species from the Western Cape Province where
it is found growing on clay slopes in renosterveld from Stellenbosch to Bredasdorp. It was
previously known as Homeria elegans and Homeria metelerkampiae. The striking yellow and
orange flowers with variable bold markings and its extreme ease of cultivation make this elegant
spring-flowering species an essential member of any collection of Cape geophytes. The mature
plant grows up to 0.35 m high and produces a single long, linear, greenish grey basal leaf up to
0.5 m long.
Moraea elliottii
Moraea elliottii is a South African indigenous species from the Eastern Cape, Free State,
KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Western Cape Provinces. It was previously known as
Moraea juncifolia, Moraea macra, Moraea stewartae and Moraea violacea. Commonly known as
Bloutulp in Afrikaans this summer growing species grows to 50cm tall with a terete/channelled
leaf. From spring to autumn it bears attractive blue-violet flowers with yellow to orange nectar
guides.
Moraea falcifolia
Moraea falcifolia is another indigenous species found from the Karoo to southwestern Cape and
north towards southern Namibia. It is a miniature species with several leaves that form a dense
rosette. From autumn to spring it bears beautiful white flowers blue and purple markings. The
seeds are best sown during autumn.
Moraea flaccida
Moraea flaccida is a South African endemic species commonly known as One-leaf Cape Tulip in
English and Rooitulp in Afrikaans grows from 30cm to 60cm tall. During spring it bears salmon
flowers with yellow centre or entirely yellow.
Moraea fugacissima
Moraea fugacissima is a South African endemic species from the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape
and Western Cape Provinces where it can be found growing on wet sand and clay flats from
Namaqualand to Humansdorp. It was previously known as Galaxia fugacissima and Ixia
fugacissima. It grows to 3cm tall and requires a full sun position. From winter to spring it bears
yellow star-shaped flowers.
Moraea fugax

Moraea fugax is a South African endemic species from the Northern Cape and Western Cape. It
is found from Namaqualand southwards to the Cape Peninsula and eastwards across the
southern Cape as far as Swellendam. It is most predominant in Fynbos where it can be found
growing in deep sandy soils on flats near the coast, in strandveld and sandveld vegetation. It is
distinguished by having a beaked ovary and leaf or leaves inserted high on the stem. The
fugacious flowers open near midday and close around sunset. Flowers are beautiful, strongly
scented, bright blue-purple & yellow and appear in spring. The corms of Moraea fugax, formerly
known as Moraea edulis, are edible and are known to have been eaten by the indigenous
peoples of southern Africa. The seeds are best sown during autumn.
Moraea galaxia
Moraea galaxia commonly known as Oorlosieblom in Afrikaans is a South African endemic
species from the Northern Cape and Western Cape Provinces. It can be found from the
Cederberg Mountains to Bredasdorp growing on flats and plateaus, mainly on sandstone soils.
This specie was previously known as Galaxia ovata. It has an alpine-like habit and bears
spectacular yellow flowers at ground level. Bloom time can be from winter to early spring.
Moraea gawleri
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.
Moraea gigandra
Moraea gigandra is a South African endemic species from the Western Cape where it is found
from Piketberg to Porterville. It is a strikingly beautiful Moraea that is endangered. There are
only a few surviving populations on isolated sites in the northwestern Cape. It is easy to grow in
cultivation and germination is easy. With its impressively eye-catching, mauvish blue to deep
blue spring blooms, ease of cultivation and the largest flowers of all the peacock moraeas,
Moraea gigandra is one of the most rewarding Cape irids to grow. The seeds are best sown
during autumn.
Moraea graminicola
Moraea graminicola is a South African endemic species from the Eastern Cape where it is found
from East London to the KwaZulu-Natal border. Moraea graminicola has a single leaf that arises
from the ground. During summer Moraea graminicola bears striking variable yellow to gray
flowers. The seeds of Moraea graminicola are best sown during spring.
Moraea herrei
Moraea herrei is a South African endemic species from the Northern Cape Province where it is
found growing on rocky slopes and flats from Richtersveld to Garies. It was previously known as
Barnardiella spiralis, Gynandriris spiralis and Homeria herrei. It grows from 5cm to 15cm tall.
During late spring it bears delicate pale blue/mauve star shaped flowers.

Moraea huttonii
Moraea huttonii is a South African indigenous species from the Eastern Cape, Free State,
KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga Provinces growing in wet areas. It was previously known as
Dietes huttonii, Moraea baurii and Moraea rivularis. This evergreen summer growing species
grows to 1m tall. From spring to summer it bears sweetly scented yellow flowers with large
deeper yellow nectar guides.
Moraea inclinata
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 Africas 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.
Moraea incurva
Moraea incurva is a rare South African endemic species from the Western Cape Province where it
can be found growing in well-drained, sandy, rocky soil on sandstone slopes around Tulbagh. It
grows to 40cm tall with 1 long channeled trailing leaf. During late spring it bears blue-violet
flowers with yellow nectar guides.
Moraea lewisiae
Moraea lewisiae is a spring flowering indigenous species that grows to 40cm tall and has long
whip-like leaves. It bears bright striking yellow flowers that open in the afternoon. It is well
suited to dry areas and rockeries. Seeds of this species are best sown during autumn.
Moraea lugubris
Moraea lugubris is a South African endemic species from the Northern Cape and Western Cape
Provinces where it can be found growing on damp sandstone soils from the Bokkeveld Mountains
to Bredasdorp. It was previously known as Ferraria lugubris, Iris plumaria, Moraea mira, Moraea
plumaria and Vieusseuxia geniculata. It grows to 16cm tall and from spring to summer it bears
bright to dull slate blue flowers with yellow nectar guides.
Moraea lurida
Moraea lurida is a South African endemic species from the Western Cape where it is found from
Kogelberg to Bredasdorp. It is most predominantly found in Fynbos growing on rocky sandstone
and granitic slopes. Moraea lurida is a very variable species from the winter rainfall. It blooms in
spring, mainly after fire when the vegetation is cleared, giving it light. It is easily grown from
seed and multiplies rapidly. Seeds of this species are best sown during autumn.
Moraea luteoalba
Moraea luteoalba is a South African endemic species from the Western Cape Province where it
can be found growing on sandstone outcrops from Matsikamma to the Cederberg Mountains. It

was previously known as Galaxia luteoalba and grows to 3cm tall. From winter to spring it bears
deep yellow flowers fading to cream at the tips of petals.
Moraea macrocarpa
Moraea macrocarpa is a South African endemic species naturally occurring in the Northern Cape
and Western Cape from Nieuwoudtville to Worcester. It is normally found growing in deep sand
amongst arid Fynbos. During spring it bears gorgeously scented blue-mauve flowers with yellow
nectar guides on the outer tepals. Seeds of this species are best sown during autumn.
Moraea macronyx
Moraea macronyx is a South African endemic species from the Western Cape Province where it
can be found growing on sandstone outcrops from Cold Bokkeveld to Avontuur in the southern
Cape. It grows from 9cm to 25cm tall. The leaves have wavy margins and during spring it bears
pale yellow scented flowers.
Moraea miniata
Moraea miniata is a South African endemic species from the Northern Cape and Western Cape
Provinces where it can be found growing on clay slopes, renosterveld and karroid scrub from
Namaqualand to Riversdale and the Karoo. It was previously known as Homeria albida, Homeria
lineata and Homeria miniata. Vernacular names include Geeltulp, Kraaitulp, Poison Bulb,
Pronktulp and Rooitulp. It grows to 60cm tall with two leaves. During spring it bears
white/yellow/pink flowers that are grouped along the stem.
Moraea neglecta
Moraea neglecta is a South African endemic species from the Northern Cape and Western Cape
Provinces where it can be found growing on deep well-drained sandy soils from the Bokkeveld
Mountains to the Agulhas coast. It grows from 20cm to 40cm tall. From spring to summer it
bears deep yellow flowers with nectar guides that are lined with black dots.
Moraea ochroleuca
Moraea ochroleuca is a South African endemic species from the Western Cape Province where it
can be found growing on rocky sandstone outcrops from Citrusdal to Caledon. It was previously
known as Homeria lucasii and Homeria ochroleuca. It grows to 65cm tall and is very well suited
to pot culture. During spring it bears yellow flowers with beautiful orange centres.
Moraea papilionacea
Moraea papilionacea is a South African endemic species from the Western Cape where it is found
from the Cederberg Mountains to Bredasdorp where it is predominantly found growing among
Fynbos mostly on sandstone soils. It grows to 15cm tall and has lovely scented salmon pink and
yellow flowers with yellow nectar guides. This plant flowers from spring to summer. Seeds of this
species are best sown during autumn.
Moraea pendula

Moraea pendula is a rare South African endemic species from the Northern Cape Province where
it can be found growing in seasonally wet areas along streams around Namaqualand and
Kamiesberg. It was previously known as Homeria pendula. It grows to 1m tall with long
flowering stems of showy unusual pendulous yellow flowers.
Moraea polyanthos
Moraea polyanthos is a South African endemic species from the Eastern Cape and Western Cape
Provinces where it can be found growing on flats and lower slopes, mainly on clay soils from
Worcester to the Eastern Cape. It was previously known as Homeria lilacina and is commonly
known as Bloutulp in Afrikaans. It grows from 15cm to 45cm tall and from spring to summer it
bears fragrant blue-purple flowers with yellow nectar guides.
Moraea polystachya
Moraea polystachya commonly known as Peacock Flower is a vigorous cormous perennial species
from the winter and summer rainfall areas of southern Africa. It is an indigenous species that
grows to 80cm tall. It produces large numbers of violet to pale blue iris-like flowers with yellow
centers. It blooms for 6 to 8 weeks during autumn and early winter. If you're growing this
species in pots keep it dry at the start of summer but start watering it in mid-summer to get the
longest bloom period. This species is reportedly poisonous to livestock, so be careful not to let it
escape into the wild. Seeds of this species may be sown during spring and autumn.
Moraea pritzeliana
Moraea pritzeliana is a South African endemic species from the Northern Cape and Western Cape
Provinces where it can be found growing on sandstone and clay soils, mainly in renosterveld
from the Bokkeveld Plateau and western Karoo. It was previously known as Gynandriris
pritzeliana and Gynandriris torta. It is a spring blooming species and has two leaves that are
coiled and dark blue flowers with cream nectar guides.
Moraea pyrophila
Moraea pyrophila is a South African endemic species from the Western Cape Province where it
can be found growing on rocky sandstone slopes from Piketberg to Bredasdorp. It was previously
known as Homeria galpinii. This winter growing species grows to 30cm tall and has only a single
leaf. During autumn and mostly after fire it bears yellow flowers en masse. Watering with fire
ash infused water or smoke primer will also push the plants into producing flowers.
Moraea ramosissima
Moraea ramosissima is a South African endemic species from the Eastern Cape and Western
Cape Provinces where it can be found growing on damp sandstone flats and slopes from Gifberg
to the Eastern Cape. It was previously known as Freuchenia bulbifera, Iris ramosa, Iris
ramosissima, Moraea bulbifera, Moraea ramosa and Vieusseuxia freuchenia and is commonly
known as Geeltulp. It grows to 1.2m tall and from spring to summer it bears spectacular bright
yellow flowers on branched spikes.
Moraea serpentina

Moraea serpentina is a South African endemic species from the Northern Cape and Western
Cape. It is found from Namaqualand to Olifants River Valley. It occurs in a wide variety of arid
biomes including Desert, Fynbos, Nama Karoo and Succulent Karoo where it is usually found
growing on dry stony flats and in crevices in granite rock. It has thin linear leaves that are
beautifully twisted or coiled, looking like a snake, hence the species name. During spring it bears
gorgeous white and yellow flowers that are often flushed with mauve. Seeds of this species are
best sown during autumn.
Moraea setifolia
Moraea setifolia is a South African endemic species from the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and
Western Cape Provinces where it can be found growing on sandy and gravelly flats and slopes
from Namaqualand to Grahamstown. It was previously known as Gynandriris rogersii and
Gynandriris setifolia. It grows to 20cm tall and is another Moraea that is well suited to pot
culture. During spring it bears small pale mauve iris-like flowers.
Moraea simulans
Moraea simulans is a South African indigenous species from the Free State, Gauteng,
Mpumalanga, North West and Western Cape Provinces. It was previously known as Gynandriris
cladostachya, Gynandriris simulans, Helixyra elata, Helixyra mossii, Helixyra propinqua and
Helixyra simulans. It grows to 20cm tall and has a slightly spiraled single leaf. During spring it
bears blue flowers.
Moraea spathulata
Moraea spathulata is a South African indigenous species from the Eastern Cape, Free State,
KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Western Cape Provinces where it can be found growing in
open, moist montane grassland or forest margins. This is a wide spread species from across the
eastern parts of South Africa, from George in the southern Cape to Limpopo, and extending
northwards along the high-lying areas of Zimbabwe and Mozambique. This evergreen, summer
growing species grows from 50cm to 90cm tall. It is floriferous and bears yellow flowers with
deep yellow nectar guides throughout the year. It grows well in large pots and in the garden.
Moraea speciosa
Moraea speciosa is a South African endemic species from the Northern Cape and Western Cape
Provinces where it can be found growing on rocky flats and slopes from the Cederberg Mountains
and Tanqua Karoo to Prince Albert. It grows from 40cm to 75cm tall and is very well suited to
pot culture. From winter to spring it bears large pale blue-mauve flowers with yellow nectar
guides.
Moraea tricuspidata
Moraea tricuspidata is a South African endemic species from the Eastern Cape and Western Cape
Provinces where it can be found growing on clay or granitic slopes from the Cederberg Mountains
to Grahamstown. It was previously known as Iris tricuspidata, Iris tricuspis, Moraea bellendenii
subsp. cormifera, Moraea confusa, Moraea tricuspis and Vieusseuxia tricuspis. Vernacular names
include Blou-ooguintjiea and Rietuintjie. It grows from 25cm to 60cm tall and during summer it

bears white to cream flowers, speckled brownish at the centres with yellow to brown speckled
nectar guides.
Moraea trifida
Moraea trifida is an indigenous summer rainfall species found in the Eastern Cape, Free State,
KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. It has a solitary leaf that is frequently not longer than the
stem. It bears small cream to dull yellow flowers with trilobed inner tepals. The seeds are best
sown during spring.
Moraea tripetala
Moraea tripetala is a South African endemic species from the Western Cape Province where it
can be found growing on sandy soils on coastal plains or lower mountain slopes, as well as
coastal limestone from Piketberg to the Cape Peninsula, and eastwards along the coastal
lowlands to Knysna. It was previously known as Iris mutila, Iris tripetala, Vieusseuxia mutila,
Vieusseuxia tripetala, Vieusseuxia tripetala and Vieusseuxia tripetaloides. Vernacular names
include Bloutulp, Dwergtulp, Kleinuiltjie, Kleinuintjie, Perde-uintjie, Tulp and Uiltjie. It grows
from 10cm to 50cm tall and from spring to summer it bears pale to dark blue to purple flowers
with white or yellow nectar guides.
Moraea tulbaghensis
Moraea tulbaghensis is a rare South African endemic species from the Western Cape Province
where it is found growing on stony, sandy clay flats in renosterveld from Piketberg to Paarl. It
was previously known as Iris pavonia, Moraea neopavonia and Vieusseuxia pavonia. The
spectacular orange or brick-red blooms of Moraea tulbaghensis appear in profusion from mid to
late spring yet are seldom seen in the wild, and the species is not widely grown. Although loss of
natural habitat has placed it on the Red List, it is highly agreeable to cultivation.
Moraea unguiculata
Moraea unguiculata is a South African endemic species from the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape
and Western Cape Provinces where it can be found growing on shale slopes in renosterveld from
Namaqualand to Port Elizabeth and in the Karoo Mountains. It was previously known as Iris
tricuspis, Moraea ceresiana, Moraea tenuis, Moraea violacea, Vieusseuxia tenuis and Vieusseuxia
unguiculata. It grows from 15cm to 60cm tall and from spring to summer it bears small
white/cream/yellow/brown flowers with white to yellow nectar guides.
Moraea versicolor
Moraea versicolor is a rare South African endemic species from the Western Cape Province where
it is found growing on clay and granite flats and slopes, often in seasonally damp depressions,
below 300m in elevation from Tulbagh to Cape Peninsula and Houwhoek. It was previously
known as Galaxia versicolor. It forms a short plant with pink flowers and yellow centers. It
blooms from late winter to early spring.
Moraea villosa
Moraea villosa is a rare South African endemic species from the Western Cape Province where it
is found growing on clay flats and lower slopes from Piketberg to Gordon's Bay and Ceres. It was

previously known as Iris tricuspis, Iris tricuspis var. corolla purpurea, Iris villosa, Moraea
pavonia var. villosa and Vieusseuxia villosa. Commonly known as Peacock Moraea it bears large
showy flowers that are sweetly scented. It is a perennial cormous geophyte which grows up to
40 cm tall. Stems are soft and hairy. Plants have a single, narrow, hairy leaf which is attached
near the base of the stem. The leaf is normally as long as, or often longer than the stem.
Moraea virgata
Moraea virgata is a South African endemic species from the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape
Provinces where it can be found growing on granitic and clay soils from Southern Namaqualand
to Port Elizabeth. It was previously known as Hexaglottis virgata, Hexaglottis virgata subsp.
virgata and Hexaglottis virgata var. lata. It grows to 80cm tall with trailing leave and during
spring it bears yellow unscented flowers.

Growing Moraea
Please see the time to sow from the descriptions above. Sow the seeds just below the surface of
a well-drained soil mixture. Water it lightly until after germination. Watering may be increased
after that but never over-water. Fertilize sparingly; half strength is best. Do not fertilize once the
plants start going dormant. Protect the corms from freezing during dormancy or lift and replant
at the onset of the growing season. Possible pests to watch out for are red spider mite and
aphids. Moraea is easy and rewarding to grow, but because it has a tendency to become weedy
in cultivation, grow plants in pots or in a rockery where they can be controlled. For the best
show, mass the plants together.