Moraea
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- mor-EYE-ah
- Description
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The genus Moraea is in the iris family (Iridaceae). There are more than 200 species. Most are from Africa, but some are found in southern Europe, the Arabian Peninsula and central Asia. Some Moraea species native to South Africa are cold hardy enough for gardens in the Southeastern US.
Plant 5 or 6 corms per 6-inch pot to a depth of 4 inches. Most species are drought-tolerant once established.
The following are federally listed noxious weeds in the USA and should not be planted: Cape tulip (Moraea collina), One leaf Cape tulip (Moraea flaccida), Two leaf Cape tulip (Moraea miniata), Apricot Cape tulip (Moraea ochroleuca) and Yellow Cape tulip (Moraea pallida).
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Minor pest problems, such as aphids and narcissus fly.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Moraea
- Family:
- Iridaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tropical & South Africa, Mediterranean to Western Himalaya
- Bulb Storage:
- Store corms in peat or vermiculite at 35-50 degrees F (2-10C) when dormant
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Bulb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Pink
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Simple & elegant iris-like flowers with nectar guides in center
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Slender, grassy leaves.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Fairy Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
