Chasmanthe

Chasmanthe floribunda

Chasmanthe is a genus of flowering plants in the family of Iris Family ( Iridaceae ). My name is composed of the Greek words Chasma for " throat " and Anthe for " flower" and refers to the elongated tubular shape of the flowers.

Description

Chasmanthe species are tuberous, perennial, herbaceous plants that reach heights of growth of about 60 centimeters. They are similar in stature to the gladiolus, but form in the autumn to spring extended yellow to red, slender curved, tubular flowers that bloom are upper, the anthers protrude from the flower. The seeds are bright orange. As pollinators act sunbirds, also as containing the seeds are birds suspected.

Occurrence

All species are endemic to the Western and Eastern Cape region in South Africa. There they grow on well-drained, moist soils in bushland or forest edges.

System

Chasmanthe are particularly close to the Crocosmia, also making gladioli. The genus includes three species.

• Chasmanthe aethiopica (L.) N.E.Br. ( Syn: Antholyza aethiopica L.)
• Chasmanthe bicolor ( Gasp. ex Vis. ) N.E.Br. ( Syn: Antholyza bicolor Gasp ex Vis. . ).
• Chasmanthe floribunda ( Salisb. ) N.E.Br. ( Syn: Antholyza floribunda Salisb. )

Pictures

Chasmanthe aethiopica:

Chasmanthe bicolor:

Chasmanthe floribunda var duckittii:

Swell

• Cheers Gordon (ed.): Botanica, pp. 221, Tandem Verlag GmbH 2003, ISBN 3-8331-1600-5.
• Entry to the genus on the website of the Iziko Museums of Cape Town, online.