Moraea tripetala

Family: Iridaceae

What it is like

An erect slender herb. It grows 10-50 cm tall. The stem is slender and branched. The corm is round. The leaves occur singly from the base. They are smooth, flat and narrow. The flowers has a large spathe around it. The flowers are 20-35 cm long with white speckles at the centre. The fruit is a capsule. There are several angled seeds.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows on mountain slopes, usually on heavy clay soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Lesotho, South Africa (country/location of origin), Southern Africa

How it is used for food

The corm or bulb is eaten as a snack and also cooked as a vegetable.

The corms are especially eaten by children.

Edible parts

Corms

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Iris mutila Licht. ex Roem & Schult.; Iris tripetala L.f.; Moraea amabilis Diels; Moraea monophylla Baker; Moraea punctata Baker and others