Sparaxis

Taxobox
name = "Sparaxis"


image_width = 250px
image_caption = "Sparaxis bulbifera"
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Liliopsida
ordo = Asparagales
familia = Iridaceae
subfamilia = Ixioideae
tribus = Ixieae
genus = "Sparaxis"
genus_authority = Ker Gawl.
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision =
*"Sparaxis bulbifera"
*"Sparaxis grandiflora"
*"Sparaxis parviflora"
*"Sparaxis tricolor"
*"Sparaxis variegata"
*"Sparaxis villosa"

"Sparaxis" (Harlequin Flower) is a genus in the family Iridaceae with about 13 species endemic to Cape Province, South Africa.

All are perennials that grow during the wet winter season, flower in spring and survive underground as dormant corms over summer. Their conspicuous flowers have six tepals, which in most species are equal in size and shape.

"Sparaxis bulbifera" is the commonest in cultivation, with flowers from cream to yellow or purple. "S. grandiflora" is a similar but larger plant. "Sparaxis tricolor" has bright red flowers with yellow and black centres. Many named hybrid cultivars were bred from "S. bulbifera" and "S. tricolor".

A group of species with asymmetrical flowers marked in mauve and yellow, including "Sparaxis variegata" and "Sparaxis villosa", was formerly treated as the genus "Synnotia".

References

Goldblatt, P. (1999) "Sparaxis". Flora of Southern Africa 7: 151-169.