Dietes grandiflora

Dietes grandiflora, commonly named fortnight lily, large wild iris, African iris or fairy iris, is a rhizomatous perennial plant of the family Iridaceae with long, rigid, sword-like green leaves. This species is common in horticulture in its native South Africa, where it is often used in public gardens, beautification of commercial premises and along roadsides.

The blooms are white marked with yellow and violet. Dark markings are found at the base of the outer tepals. These are borne in abundance during summer, especially after rain. These flowers will last a couple of days and are then followed by 5 cm long green capsules that contain very dark brown seeds, dispersed when the capsule splits open.

Cultivation

Plants prefer dappled shade to full sun where they will flower in profusion, though they will grow in shaded areas (with an accompanying loss of flower production). Under favourable conditions, the clumps multiply rapidly. Dietes grandiflora are drought and frost hardy, making them popular for en masse plantings.

Environmental weed

Dietes grandiflora is considered an "environmental weed" in parts of Australia, particularly Western Australia, Queensland, and Lord Howe Island.

References

1. Dietes bicolor
2. Dietes
3. Dietes iridioides
4. Wild Iris
5. West Maling
6. List of plants known as lily
7. List of plants in the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens
8. List of Iridaceae of South Africa
9. Amegilla cingulata
10. Latex
11. Ficaria verna
12. Gonimbrasia belina
13. List of longest vines
14. Bombus affinis
15. Lecythis zabucajo
16. Delhi Sands flower-loving fly
17. Bombus hyperboreus
18. Mallung
19. Scoparia dulcis
20. White-bellied sunbird