©Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Family
Iridaceae
Botanical Name
Sparaxis
Plant Common Name
Harlequin Flower
General Description
Members of the genus Sparaxis are tender, herbaceous, summer-dormant perennials that grow from fibrous-coated corms. Fifteen species are currently recognized, all native to the Southwest Cape or western Karoo regions of South Africa. In the wild they typically inhabit clay-soil scrublands known as renosterveld. In gardens Sparaxis species and hybrids are grown for their sprays of colorful flowers that open in late winter or spring.
These members of the Iris family produce clumps of slender, sword-shaped leaves that appear in fall or winter and wither away in spring or early summer. Upright to lax, leafless flower spikes appear in late winter or spring, carrying several (or rarely 1) rounded or two-lipped, six-lobed blooms. Flower color may be yellow, orange, purple, maroon, red, or white. Many Sparaxis species and hybrids have multi-colored flowers with boldly contrasting markings or eye zones. The flowers are followed by small barrel-shaped seed capsules. Self-sowing may occur in favorable climates. Sparaxis bulbifera also reproduces from stem cormlets.
Sparaxis make delightful garden perennials for areas (such as western California) with mild moist winters and warm dryish summers. They do poorly in hot humid conditions. Plants perform best in ample sunlight and well-drained, moisture-retentive soil. In areas with cold winters, the corms can be dug in fall and replanted in spring for late spring or summer bloom. Spring bulb catalogs sometimes offer corms of Sparaxis for planting as summer-blooming annuals.
Characteristics
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Plant Type
Bulb or Corm or Tuber
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun
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Native To
South Africa
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Yellow, Red, Blue, Purple, Orange, Salmon, Peach, Violet
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Flower Color Modifier
Multi-Color
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Fruit Color
Tan, Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
