Plant

Leaves

Close up of leaves with prominent mid vein

Flowers

Brilliant orange-red flowers with yellow centre

Base of the plant with new growth appearing

Close up of mature corm and new corms attached

Corm and roots

Scientific Name

Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora

Synonyms

 

Common Names

crocosmia, montbretia

Origin

A hybrid of two tropical South African species and originally produced in France.

Family

Iridaceae

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Distinguishing Characteristics

This is an upright, deciduous (leaves die off and regrow each year) herb with corms. The corms are underground, solid, swollen and bulb-like. Plants are often found in dense clumps.

Leaves are bright green, flat, broad, sword-shaped and may be slightly pleated at the base. The leaves emerge from the base of the plant on a flat plane. Mid veins are prominent. Outer leaves are short and sheath-like.

Plants produce a single inflorescence (flower spike) of brilliant orange-red with yellow centred flowers usually in the summer months.

Fruit is a capsule formed after flowering. Seeds are compressed to triangular in shape, red to brown, usually shrivelled and possibly not viable.

Other plants easily confused with this plant

May be confused with other clumping plants of similar habit. The bright colour of the flowers and the flat plane of the leaves are the best means of differentiating this plant.

Sources & References

"Weeds - an illustrated botanical guide to weeds of Australia" by B. A. Auld and R. W. Medd

"Gardener's Companion to Weeds" by Suzanne Ermert and Leigh Clapp

"Plantnet FloraOnline"  (2005)  http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/

 

Prepared by Justin KY Chu, July 2005

Checked by IEWF, March 2006