familyIridaceae
genusRomulea

Romulea

Maratti

Pl. Romul. Saturn., 13. 1772.

Etymology: For Romulus, one of the mythical founders of Rome, the type species of the genus being common around that city
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 26. Treatment on page 407. Mentioned on page 348, 349.

Herbs, perennial, from corms. Stems: true stem aerial [subterranean and only peduncles of individual flowers aerial], simple or branched. Leaves 1–several; blade linear, oval to terete in cross section, 4-grooved (2 on each surface, on either side of thickened midrib) [2-grooved]. Inflorescences solitary flowers, interpreted as sessile, thus without pedicels; bracts inserted at ovary base, green or flushed with purple, unequal, outer exceeding inner, firm, inner bract margins membranous to scarious (rarely entirely scarious). Flowers odorless [fragrant], actinomorphic; tepals forming wide cup, connate into tube, subequal, outer whorl often slightly larger than inner; perianth tube funnel-shaped [or cylindric]; stamens symmetrical; filaments distinct [connate]; anthers usually erect, contiguous; style branching opposite or beyond anthers into 3 slender branches divided for ± 1/2 length. Capsules ovoid-oblong, walls firm, cartilaginous. Seeds many, globose; seed coat light to dark brown, often smooth, shiny. x = 13 or 14.

Distribution

Introduced; Africa, s Europe, Middle East.

Discussion

Species ca. 90 (1 in the flora).

Lower Taxa