Geissorhiza radians

Short description: Species of flowering plant

Geissorhiza radians

Scientific classification
Kingdom:  | Plantae
Clade:  | Tracheophytes
Clade:  | Angiosperms
Clade:  | Monocots
Order:  | Asparagales
Family:  | Iridaceae
Genus:  | Geissorhiza
Species:  |

G. radians

Binomial name
Geissorhiza radians

Goldblatt

Synonyms

Geissorhiza rochensis var. rochensis

Geissorhiza radians or winecup flower is a highly threatened species from the Iris family with fewer than 10 remaining sub-populations growing in south-western Cape Town, South Africa .[1] The deep purple flowers with large, red centres grow is dense colonies which makes for a spectacular flower displays from mid-September, particularly around the town of Darling. Its seasonally wet lowlands habitat is however becoming increasingly threatened with more than 80% of its original habitat now permanently transformed into agriculture or urban sprawl and the remaining populations threatened by encroaching invasive alien vegetation and fertilizer runoff. The dark-centred flowers aim to attract specific pollinators from the horsefly family (Tabanidae), but the specific interactions still require additional investigation. Each plant has 1 to 6 flowers. It is also found in smaller patches through to Gordon's Bay. The plants nearly always occur in seasonally moist wetlands which become dry in the summer months.[2]

## Growing

The plant normally starts to flower after 3 years after being planted, they can be grown from a pot or lawn if sufficient moisture is provided. It might be hard to buy this plant since it is rare.[3]

## References

1. ↑ "Geissorhiza radians in Tropicos". http://www.tropicos.org/Name/16601073.
2. ↑ "Geissorhiza radians | PlantZAfrica". https://pza.sanbi.org/geissorhiza-radians.
3. ↑ "Geissorhiza radians | PlantZAfrica". https://pza.sanbi.org/geissorhiza-radians.

## External links

* "Geissorhiza radians - Threatened Species Programme | SANBI Red List of South African Plants". 2012. http://redlist.sanbi.org/species.php?species=1535-85. (Thunb.) Goldblatt. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. Template:AfricanPlants

Wikidata ☰ Q15548046 entry

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