Freesia laxa subsp. laxa seeds grow into the flowering grass or loose freesia — a cormous geophyte native to the seasonally dry tropical biome from western Kenya south through East Africa to South Africa, one of the most widespread Freesia species. Originally described as Gladiolus laxus by Thunberg; transferred to Freesia by Goldblatt & J.C. Manning. The epithet laxa means 'loose', referring to the loosely arranged flower spike. Synonyms include Anomatheca laxa (Thunb.) Goldblatt, Lapeirousia laxa (Thunb.) N.E.Br. and Lapeirousia cruenta (Lindl.) Baker. Two subspecies: subsp. laxa (W. Kenya to S. Africa) and subsp. azurea (C. Mozambique to NE. KwaZulu-Natal). Flowers variable in colour — red, white or pale blue — with darker markings at the base of the lower tepals. Seeds are vivid bright red. Naturalised in Florida, Argentina, Madeira, Mauritius, New South Wales, Norfolk Island and Réunion. Family Iridaceae.Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soils; warm subtropical to tropical conditions; adaptable and free-seeding. Naturalises freely in warm climates. 'Laxa' = loose; loose flower spike; originally Gladiolus laxus Thunb.; Goldblatt & J.C.Manning Synonyms: Anomatheca laxa Goldblatt; Lapeirousia laxa N.E.Br.; Lapeirousia cruenta Baker; 2 subspecies W. Kenya to S. Africa — seasonally dry tropical biome; seeds vivid bright red; variable flower colour Naturalised in Florida, Argentina, Madeira, Mauritius, NSW, Norfolk Is., Réunion Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soils; warm subtropical to tropical; Family Iridaceae Freesia laxa subsp. laxa is the flowering grass — a wide-ranging African freesia from Kenya to South Africa, with vivid red seeds and variable red, white or blue flowers that have made it a free-naturalising ornamental in warm climates from Florida to Mauritius and Australia. IMPORTANT: Pictures show the adult plant, which is not for sale. The offer is only for seeds.
