The genus Moraea can be divided into five groups: Galaxia, Gynandriris, Hexaglottis, Homeria, and Moraea. Homeria which was once considered to be a separate genus in the Iridaceae family is now included in Moraea. There are about 32 species of this Moraea subgroup native to southern Africa. They have long narrow basal leaves, sometimes only one per corm and large yellow, pink, orange, or bicolor flowers with six fairly equal tepals. The leaves of some species can be poisonous and are avoided by sheep and cattle and can then multiply freely. Some species have a reputation of being weedy and they are not welcomed in Australia or the United States because of the agricultural concerns. They are not very hardy so there is little danger of their becoming weedy in climates not to their liking. Although the flowers only last a day or two, some of the species produce flowers over a long period. 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. Homeria subgroup species K-Z are found on this wiki page. Homeria subgroup A-I
Moraea karooica (syn. Homeria tricolor) is found in clay soils in renosterveld and karroid bush in the Roggeveld, northwest Cape, and the western Karoo. It has a single clasping leaf and salmon to deep pink flowers with a yellow center edged in red or purple. Seen in the Komsberg September 2006 and photographed by Mary Sue Ittner.
Moraea marlothii (syn. Homeria marlothii) is tall plant with a wide long grey green leaf and yellow or salmon nodding flowers with green specks. It grows on sandstone rocks or heavy clay soils in the northwest Cape and the western Karoo. The corm gets to be rather large and I never had success getting it to bloom until I planted it in the ground. It seems much happier where it has more root room. Photos by Mary Sue Ittner.
Moraea miniata (syn. Homeria miniata) is widespread. It has two or three linear leaves, usually salmon flowers, but sometimes yellow or white and is minutely speckled in the center. It is poisonous and has a number of ways of spreading (by cormlets in the leaf axils sometimes). It is banned in Australia and to be avoided in areas where it can thrive and become a problem. Photos taken September 2006 near Middelpos by Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue Ittner where it was seen blooming in mass in a year with extra rainfall. The first picture shows a stand of them and the others show a plants with leaves and close-ups. One had extra tepals.
Photos from Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue Ittner of plants with white flowers blooming in Namaqualand September 2006.
Moraea ochroleuca (syn. Homeria ochroleuca) found on rocky sandstone slopes in the northwest and the southwest Cape and blooming in spring has yellow, orange, or bicolored flowers. It has a wide spreading tepal cup and an unpleasant smell. Photographs taken September 2006 by Bob Rutemoeller, Mary Sue Ittner, and Rod Saunders near a back trail in Kirstenbosch that had burned previously. The final photo was taken by Alan Horstmann
Moraea pendula (syn. Homeria pendula) is found in the Kamiesberg, Namaqualand, South Africa in moist places at base of rocks and near streams; flowers yellow, tepals reflexed, anthers red. Photo by Bob Rutemoeller.
Moraea radians (syn. Homeria radians) grows in clay soils in renosterveld in the southwest cape and flowers late winter to spring. It has a singe traling linear leaf and cream flowers with a yellos center. Photo by Alan Horstmann.
Moraea schlechteri (syn. Homeria schlechteri) has two lanceolate leaves with a broad sheathing base. It has yellow flowers grouped at the ends of the stems and is found in Namaqualand in flat sandy places. Photos taken September 2007 in Namaqualand by Mary Sue Ittner.
Moraea vallisbelli (syn. Homeria vallisbelli) is found in the northwest Cape growing in rocky sandstone soils. It has a single linear channnel leaf and is yellow, salmon, or pink with darkly outlined yellow nectar guides. Photos by Mary Sue Ittner taken September 2006 near Nieuwoudtville.
Galaxia – Gynandriris – Hexaglottis – Homeria A-J – 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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