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Moraea polystachya

Species category

Weed

Common name

blue-tulip

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

True seedTrue seed:
A mature fertilized ovule consisting of an embryo, with or without and external food reserve (e.g., endosperm) enclosed by the testa.

Shape

Irregularly triangular

Size

  • Length 1.5–2 mm 
  • Width 0.8–1.7 mm 
  • Thickness 0.8–1.7 mm 

Color

Brown

Texture

RugoseRugose:
Having veinlets sunken and areas in between raised. Wrinkled.
 with sharp ridges

Other structures

HilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
 is at intersection of three ridges.

Identification notes

RugoseRugose:
Having veinlets sunken and areas in between raised. Wrinkled.
 sides uniform without secondary ridges. Flat sides meeting with sharp ridges. Ridges sometimes winged.

Noxious weed seed categories

Federal

Learn more about Moraea spp. on ITP's Federal Noxious Weed Disseminules tool.

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Iridaceae

Valid name

Moraea polystachya (Thunb.) Ker Gawl.

Synonyms

Iris polystachya Thunb.

Moraea polystachya. Seeds with ridges that sometimes have wings. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Moraea polystachya. Seeds with ridges that sometimes have wings. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Moraea polystachya. Seeds with uniform rugose sides and no secondary ridges. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Moraea polystachya. Seeds with uniform rugose sides and no secondary ridges. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.