The MGS Forum
Miscellaneous => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: Alisdair on February 19, 2012, 04:09:42 PM
-
As the forum's gone so quiet this weekend, here's an attempt to get a reaction:
Flowering at the moment under glass in the UK. Probably much too easy for John and Oron!
-
I have to say that I can't remember. I do remember photographing it at Harry Hay's a few years ago and it's Iridaceae with small flowers.
-
Well done John, it is Iridaceae despite that vaguely orchid look! And to help the clue along it's only about 1cm across.
-
Is it a Lapeirousia?
-
No sorry, I take that back. How's about Anomatheca viridis. I knew I knew it! I had photographed it a few years ago.
-
Unless of course I'm wrong!
-
Well done again, John, you're (sort of) right. It's properly called Freesia viridis rather than Anomatheca viridis now, but has been a real problem for taxonomists over the years, jumping in and out of half a dozen other genera including Gladiolus, Tritonia and Montbretia, as well as your first guess Lapeirousia!
-
It seems it will rest in Freesia for eternity as it clearly has Freesia corms and even more, Freesia seeds. The genus Freesia is an interesting one and several species with fragrant flowers are easy to grow and remain true.
-
OK, does this species hybridise with other Freesia species?
-
But do you grow it in your Greek garden, Alisdair?
-
Not yet, but it's in a pot under glass given a strictly mediterranean regime here in UK, including completely dry summer baking. I may not even try it in Greece though, as given its tiny green flowers it's one of those plants that people politely say is "interesting" rather than beautiful....
To answer John, I haven't seen any reference to a hybrid, and its pollen grains are said to be structurally different from those of all other freesias (one-banded operculum as opposed to two, or vice versa, I can't remember which!), which might pose an obstacle to trying to cross it.
-
You could try stigma grafting!