The genus Moraea can be divided into five groups: Galaxia, Gynandriris, Hexaglottis, Homeria, and Moraea. This wiki page is for the group Hexaglottis which was formerly a cormous genus in the Iridaceae family from the winter rainfall region of Southern Africa now considered to belong to the genus Moraea. The five species listed below have long, narrow, basal leaves and a branched flower stem carrying yellow, short-lived flattish flowers that face upwards. They have filiform style branches that are simple or divided to the base and extending between the stamens. Information and pictures of the other Moraea groups can be found by clicking on these groups or the Moraea group pages listed below or found in the Moraea index where all species are listed alphabetically.
Moraea lewisiae syn. Hexaglottis lewisiae is found in a variety of soils and habitats (mostly dry) over a wide area (Clanwilliam to Humansdorp.) It has whiplike leaves and fragrant yellow flowers pressed laterally along the flowering stem with 6 more or less equal tepals and a style divided into 6 threadlike branches. Photos taken by Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue IttnerSeptember 2006 near Citrusdal.
Photos taken by Cameron McMaster near Caledon and Hawston View Rd. in the Overberg.
Moraea longifolia syn. Hexaglottis longifolia is found on shady, moist sandstone sites in the southwestern Cape.
Moraea nana syn. Hexaglottis nana is found on rocky granite and sandstone slopes from Namaqualand to Citrusdal. It has two to several linear leaves at the top of the stem and yellow to salmon clustered flowers with spreading limbs. The style has six filiform arms extending between the stamens. Photos by Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue Ittner of some particularly attractive specimens seen in Namaqualand September 2006.
Moraea riparia syn. Hexaglottis riparia grows along streams and rivers in rocky sandstone from Clanwilliam to Tulbagh.
Moraea virgata syn. Hexaglottis virgata is found on shale and granite soils from southern Namaqualand and western Karoo to Port Elizabeth. It is similar to H. lewisiae but flowers have a slender tube and an ovary enclosed in the bracts. Photos taken by Cameron McMaster near Napier and Fairfield in the Overberg.
Galaxia – Gynandriris – Homeria A-J – Homeria K-Z – Moraea group A – Moraea group B – Moraea group C-E – Moraea group F – Moraea group G-I – Moraea group J-M – Moraea group N-R – Moraea group S – Moraea group T – Moraea group U-V – Moraea index
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