Moraea fugax

Family: Iridaceae

What it is like

Moraea fugax is a CORM growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen in September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Height (m): 0.5

Where it is found

Flat land and mountain slopes. Deep sandy soils, rocky sandstone and granitic soils.

S. Africa.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Bulb - cooked. Palatable and nourishing, with a flavour that is like sweet chestnuts or potatoes.

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Requires a light gritty well-drained soil and a sunny position. The bulbs must be kept dry whilst they are dormant. This species is not quite hardy in Britain, though it does well in a cold greenhouse or cool conservatory. The corms should be planted about 12cm deep. Individual flowers only live for 6 hours, though the plant produces a succession of blooms during the flowering period.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a warm greenhouse. A spring sowing in the greenhouse has proved very successful with us. Sow the seed thinly so that the young plants can be grown on in the pot without disturbance for their first year. Give an occasional liquid feed to ensure that the plants do not become nutrient deficient. Pot up the small bulbs at the end of their first growing season, placing 2 - 3 bulbs in each pot. Grow them on in the greenhouse for another 2 years before planting them out into their permanent positions when they are dormant in the autumn. Division of offsets whilst the plants are dormant from September to January. The larger bulbs can be replanted immediately into their permanent positions, but it is best to pot up the smaller bulbs and grow them on for a year before planting them out in the autumn.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Habit: Corm

Hardiness: 8-11

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

M. edulis. (L.f.)Ker-Gawl.