Iridaceae

Moraea flaccida

Common Names: One-leaf Cape tulip

Plant Form: Perennial bulb herb. Size: Up to 60 cm tall. Stem: Stiff, erect, somewhat zig-zaggy and branched towards top. Leaves: Single flat, narrow, ribbed, grass-like leaf 1m long. Flowers: 6 petal-like segments. Orange to salmon pink with yellow star shaped centre. Fruit and Seeds: Green maturing to brown 3-valved capsule up to 5 cm long, opening at top to release numerous small brown seeds. Habitat: Coastal heathland, woodland, grassland, dry forest, wetlands. Distinguishing Features: Has single leaf, compared to Two-leaf cape tulip (Moraea miniata) and Cape tulip (Moraea ochroleuca). Impacts: All parts are toxic to stock, especially cattle. Displaces native ground vegetation.