Olsynium is a genus in the Iridaceae family mostly found in South America. It is very similar to Sisyrinchium and some species have moved between genera. The common name of this plants in Chile is "Huilmo". It´s a genera of perennial rhizomatous plants that grow mainly on hill sides and sunny positions. They are distributed from II to IX Region (province) of Chile, and up to 3.200 m over sea level. They are autumn, winter and spring growers, dormant in summer. The flowers are very little, about 1 cm, though very numerous, and may be white, pink or lilac. They appear from the end of winter to end of spring, depending on the species. Grown from seed, they can start to bloom from the first year.
Some Chilean native species:
Olsynium junceum (E. Mey. ex Presl) Goldblatt
Olsynium philippii (Klatt) Goldblatt
Olsynium scirpoideum (Poepp.) Goldblatt
Olsynium biflorum These photos taken by Bob Rutemoeller show plants blooming in Harry Hay's gardens in May 2004. His tag has TYO 213794 written on it.
Olsynium species Identified by Osmani Baullosa as probably O. junceum. This was found growing on a rocky hillside in Colca Canyon, Peru at 3700 m. The flowers were about 2.5 cm across. Note that the flower stalk emerges from a long terminal bract, and the individual flowers emerge from a second long bract, each on its own pedicel. The plant was about 20 cm tall. Photos by Dave Brastow of (1) flowering plant, (2) close-up showing bracts, (3) close-up of flower interior.
Olsynium species Photo taken by Osmani Baullosa.
