TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993) previous taxon | next taxon
Jepson Interchange (more information)
©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California
For up-to-date information about California vascular plants, visit the Jepson eFlora.

    THIS PAGE IS NO LONGER UPDATED
    AND IS MAINTAINED FOR ARCHIVAL PURPOSES ONLY
  • Up-to-date information about California vascular plants is available from the Jepson eFlora.

IRIDACEAE

IRIS FAMILY

Elizabeth McClintock, except as specified

Perennial, bulbed, cormed, or rhizomed
Stem generally erect
Leaves generally basal (a few cauline), 2-ranked, ± linear, generally grass-like, generally sharply folded along midrib; bases overlapping, sheathing
Inflorescence: spike, raceme, panicle, ± terminal, or flowers solitary; bracts ± like leaf bases, sheathing
Flower generally bisexual, generally radial; hypanthium fused to ovary; perianth parts generally fused into tube above ovary, generally petal-like, in 2 series of 3, outer (sepals) generally ± like inner (petals); stamens 3, generally attached to sepals, filaments fused below into a tube or not; ovary inferior, 3-chambered, placentas generally axile, style 1, each of 3 branches entire or 2-branched or -lobed, petal-like or not, with stigma on under surface instead of at tip
Fruit: capsule, loculicidal
Seeds few–many
Genera in family: 80 genera, ± 1500 species: worldwide, especially Africa; many cultivated (e.g., Iris, Gladiolus, Crocus, Freesia ).

ROMULEA

Perennial; corms rounded, membranous covering split at top into several pointed teeth
Inflorescence: flower generally solitary on erect, basal peduncle, subtended by 2 bracts
Flower: perianth generally funnel-shaped, tube generally < or = lobes; style generally ± = stamens, branches each 2-lobed
Seeds many
Species in genus: ± 90 species: especially Africa, Medit
Etymology: (Romulus, legendary founder of Rome)
Reference: [DeVos 1983 J S Africa Bot, Suppl vol. 9]

Introduced

R. rosea (L.) Eckl. var. australis (Ewart) M.P. de Vos

Plant generally < 20 cm
Leaf 5–35 cm, 1–2.5 mm wide, compressed-cylindric, generally 4-grooved
Inflorescence: peduncle 5–15 cm; outer bract ± 15 mm, inner ± 10 mm
Flower 1.5–2 cm; perianth tube yellow, lobes pale lilac; style 7–10 mm, not exceeding stamens
Fruit 10–15 mm, thin-walled; bracts persistent
Ecology: Uncommon. Disturbed areas, dry, sandy or often hard-packed soil
Elevation: < 50 m.
Bioregional distribution: North Coast, Central Coast, San Francisco Bay Area
Distribution outside California: native to s Africa
Synonyms: R. longifolia (Salisb.) Baker

previous taxon | next taxon
bioregional map for ROMULEA%20rosea%20var.%20australis being generated
 


Retrieve Jepson Interchange Index to Plant Names entry for Romulea rosea var. australis
Retrieve dichotomous key for Romulea
Return to treatment index page
Glossary
University & Jepson Herbaria Home Page | Copyright © by the Regents of the University of California