Sparaxis

Sparaxis
File:Sparaxis bulbifera (Flower) 2.jpg
Sparaxis bulbifera
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Iridaceae
Subfamily:	Ixioideae
Tribe:	Ixieae
Genus:	Sparaxis Ker Gawl.
Type species
Sparaxis bulbifera (L.) Ker Gawler
Species
Sparaxis auriculata Goldblatt & J.C.Manning Sparaxis bulbifera (L.) Ker Gawl. Sparaxis caryophyllacea Goldblatt Sparaxis elegans (Sweet) Goldblatt Sparaxis fragrans (Jacq.) Ker Gawl. Sparaxis galeata Ker Gawl. Sparaxis grandiflora (D.Delaroche) Ker Gawl. Sparaxis grandiflora subsp. acutiloba Goldblatt Sparaxis grandiflora subsp. fimbriata (Lam.) Goldblatt Sparaxis grandiflora subsp. grandiflora. Sparaxis grandiflora subsp. violacea (Eckl.) Goldblatt Sparaxis maculosa Goldblatt Sparaxis metelerkampiae (L.Bolus) Goldblatt & J.C.Manning Sparaxis parviflora (G.J.Lewis) Goldblatt Sparaxis pillansii L.Bolus Sparaxis roxburghii (Baker) Goldblatt Sparaxis tricolor (Schneev.) Ker Gawl. Sparaxis variegata (Sweet) Goldblatt Sparaxis villosa (Burm.f.) Goldblatt

Sparaxis (harlequin flower) is a genus in the family Iridaceae with about 13 species endemic to Cape Province, South Africa.

All are perennials that grow during the wet winter season, flower in spring and survive underground as dormant corms over summer. Their conspicuous flowers have six tepals, which in most species are equal in size and shape.

Sparaxis bulbifera is the commonest in cultivation, with flowers from cream to yellow or purple. S. grandiflora is a similar but larger plant. Sparaxis tricolor has bright red flowers with yellow and black centres. Many named hybrid cultivars were bred from S. bulbifera and S. tricolor.

A group of species with asymmetrical flowers marked in mauve and yellow, including Sparaxis variegata and Sparaxis villosa, was formerly treated as the genus Synnotia.

The genus name is derived from the Greek word sparasso, meaning "to tear", and alludes to the shape of the floral bracts.

Species

• Sparaxis auriculata Goldblatt & J.C.Manning
• Sparaxis bulbifera (L.) Ker Gawl.
• Sparaxis calcicola Goldblatt & J.C.Manning
• Sparaxis caryophyllacea Goldblatt
• Sparaxis elegans (Sweet) Goldblatt
• Sparaxis fragrans (Jacq.) Ker Gawl.
• Sparaxis galeata Ker Gawl.
• Sparaxis grandiflora (D.Delaroche) Ker Gawl. subsp. acutiloba Goldblatt
• Sparaxis grandiflora (D.Delaroche) Ker Gawl. subsp. fimbriata (Lam.) Goldblatt
• Sparaxis grandiflora (D.Delaroche) Ker Gawl. subsp. grandiflora
• Sparaxis grandiflora (D.Delaroche) Ker Gawl. subsp. violacea (Eckl.) Goldblatt
• Sparaxis maculosa Goldblatt
• Sparaxis metelerkampiae (L.Bolus) Goldblatt & J.C.Manning
• Sparaxis parviflora (G.J.Lewis) Goldblatt
• Sparaxis pillansii L.Bolus
• Sparaxis roxburghii (Baker) Goldblatt
• Sparaxis tricolor (Schneev.) Ker Gawl.
• Sparaxis variegata (Sweet) Goldblatt
• Sparaxis villosa (Burm.f.) Goldblatt

References

• Goldblatt, P. (1999). Sparaxis. Flora of Southern Africa 7: 151-169.
• Flora of North America