Crocosmia Planchon

	Crocosmia hybrid: stem

Crocosmia spp. were formerly known as Montbretia (although this name is no longer valid), and formerly included in Tritonia.

montbretia

montbretia

Cultivars are mostly hybrids, which are generally called Crocosmia xcrocosmiiflora (Burb. & Dean) N.E. Br., of unknown parentage or possibly of parents C. aurea (Hook.) Planch. x C. pottsii (Bak.) N.E. Br.

One species cultivated is C. masonorum (Bol.) N.E. Br.

South Africa.

Long, wiry, usually branched stems commonly bearing long, sheathing, overlapping, ensiform leaves and horizontal to erect spikes at branch ends; sessile flowers ca. 2.5-6 cm long, alternating regularly in two nearly opposite rows; each flower subtended by 2 unequal, scarious spathe bracts that obscure the ovary; corolla funnelform to trumpet-shaped and curving, with 6 spreading tepal lobes in 2 series.

Stems 45-90 cm long with 4- to 20-flowered spikes terminating simple or branched stems; flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red, sometimes with darker or lighter colored throat markings; two series of tepal lobes more or less equal, or one apical tepal larger.

Freesia

Kenya, Zimbabwe.