Moraea polystachya seeds grow into a cormous geophyte native to the subtropical biome of southern Africa. Described by Thunberg and transferred to Moraea by Ker Gawler. The epithet polystachya means 'many-spiked', referring to the branched, multi-stemmed inflorescence. Produces clusters of small, vivid blue to lilac iris-like flowers on branched scapes to about 80 cm tall, with narrow, linear, grass-like leaves. Flowers mainly in March to May (southern hemisphere autumn) — unusually late in the season for a Cape cormous geophyte. Native to southern Africa across a relatively wide range. The genus Moraea was named after Robert More (1703–1780), English botanist, by Philip Miller (1758). Family Iridaceae, subfamily Iridoideae.Full sun; well-drained soils; warm subtropical conditions; dry summer dormancy. Flowers in autumn — unusually late for a Cape geophyte. 'Polystachya' = many-spiked; branched multi-stemmed inflorescence; blue to lilac iris flowers Thunberg ex Ker Gawler; grass-like leaves; autumn-flowering (March–May, Southern Hemisphere) S. Africa — subtropical biome; relatively wide southern African range Genus named after Robert More (1703–1780) by Philip Miller (1758); ~200+ species; Family Iridaceae Full sun; well-drained soils; dry summer; warm subtropical; Family Iridaceae Moraea polystachya is the many-spiked blue moraea — its vivid blue to lilac flowers appearing in the southern hemisphere autumn on branched grass-leaf stems, one of the later-flowering Cape cormous geophytes bringing a welcome burst of iris-like colour when most bulbs have long finished flowering. IMPORTANT: Pictures show the adult plant, which is not for sale. The offer is only for seeds.
