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Iridaceae
Mexican Shell Flower
Tigridia pavonia
Exotic beauty and fleeting splendor.
- Family
- Iridaceae
- Genus
- Tigridia
- Native to
- Mexico, Guatemala
- Bloom season
- Summer
- Type
- bulbous perennial
- Height
- 30–60 cm
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil
- rich, well-drained
- Water
- moderate during growth
- Hardiness
- 8–10
- Lifespan
- perennial bulb; lift in cold zones
Did you know
- Each spectacular bloom lasts only a single day, but the corm produces a succession over several weeks.
- The Aztecs called it 'oceloxóchitl' (jaguar flower) because the spotted center resembles a jaguar's pelt.
- The bulbs were a food source for the Aztecs, roasted and eaten like chestnuts.
- The genus name Tigridia means 'tiger-like', referring to the bold spotted pattern at the flower's center.
- There are around 35 species of Tigridia, but pavonia is the only one widely cultivated as an ornamental.
Color meanings
Red
bold extravagance
Yellow
spotted joyfulness
Pink
delicate wildness