Crocosmia aurea
{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}}
{{Speciesbox
|image = Iridaceae - Crocosmia aurea-1.JPG
|genus = Crocosmia
|species = aurea
|authority = (Pappe ex Hook.) Planch.
|synonyms =
- Tritonia aurea Pappe ex Hook., Bot. Mag. 73: t. 4335 (1847).
- Babiana aurea (Pappe ex Hook.) Klotzsch, Allg. Gartenzeitung 19: 293 (1851).
|synonyms_ref = [http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/synonomy.do?accepted_id=327095&repSynonym_id=325434&name_id=327095&status=true Synonyms in Kew Royal Botanic Gardens]
}}
Crocosmia aurea, common names falling stars, Valentine flower, or montbretia, is a perennial flowering plant belonging to the family Iridaceae.
Etymology
The genus name is derived from the Greek words krokos, meaning "saffron", and osme,
meaning "odor", as dried leaves of these plants, when immersed in hot water, emit a strong smell similar to saffron. The species Latin name aurea, meaning “golden”, refers to the bright colour of the flowers.
Description
Crocosmia aurea reaches on average {{convert|120|cm}} in height. It grows from basal underground corms with long stolons. The basal, alternate leaves are cauline, linear, with a distinct midvein and entire margins, about {{convert|20|-|30|mm}} wide. At the end of the flower stalk they have colourful branched inflorescences of bright orange to red flowers, reaching on average {{convert|40|mm}} in diameter. The flowering period extends from June through August. The fruit is a capsule, with small blackish and round seeds. The plant can also be propagated by dividing the clumps of corms, fleshy underground stems similar to bulbs.
Distribution
Crocosmia aurea is widely distributed in southern and eastern Africa, from South Africa to Sudan. In South Africa it is common in the grasslands of the Cape Floristic Region.[http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/namedetail.do?name_id=327095 Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families]{{Cite web |url=http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantcd/croscosaurea.htm |title=Plants of South Africa |access-date=2011-10-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904040541/http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantcd/croscosaurea.htm |archive-date=2011-09-04 |url-status=dead }}
Habitat
Usually these plants live in large colonies in shady forests and in banks of the rivers. They prefer moist habitats, at an altitude of {{convert|0|-|2000|m}} above sea level..
Gallery
File:Crocosmia aurea flower.jpg|Plant of Crocosmia aurea
File:Iridaceae - Crocosmia aurea.JPG|Flower of Crocosmia aurea
File:Iridaceae - Crocosmia aurea-3.JPG|Leaves of Crocosmia aurea
File:Crocosmia Aurea (south africa).JPG|Fruits of Crocosmia aurea
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikispecies}}
- [https://www.biolib.cz/en/taxon/id793456/ Biolib]
- [http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Crocosmia+aurea Plants for a Future]
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1534546}}
Category:Plants described in 1847
{{Iridaceae-stub}}