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Iridaceae
Cape Tulip
Moraea miniata
Fleeting brilliance.
- Family
- Iridaceae
- Genus
- Moraea
- Native to
- South Africa
- Bloom season
- Spring
- Type
- perennial bulb
- Height
- 1-2 ft
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil
- sandy, well-drained
- Water
- low
- Hardiness
- 9-11
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- Cape tulips are not true tulips but members of the iris family, named for the tulip-like shape of their flowers.
- In Australia, Moraea species are declared noxious weeds because they are highly toxic to livestock.
- Each flower lasts only a single day, but the plant produces a succession of blooms over several weeks.
- The corms contain toxic cardiac glycosides that have caused significant cattle losses in South Africa and Australia.
- Cape tulips flower prolifically after wildfire in the South African fynbos, taking advantage of reduced competition.
Color meanings
0
transient beauty
1
admiration