FERRARIA UNCINATA

This member of the Iridaceae family was given this name by Robert Sweet in 1826. It is found in western South Africa, growing in a rich but well drained soil with some water and some to lots of sun. The corm can grow to three centimetres in diameter, the entire plant to 30 centimetres in height. The flowers are blue to violet with brown markings and finely crisped and toothed greenish-yellow margins. The genera is named for Giovanni Battista Ferrari, 1584-1655, 17th century Italian botanist and author. The species name is referring to a hook or spine the flowers have. The blue flower by Andrew Harvie, Pacificbulbsociety.org. A drawing by Hilda Mason.