Herbs, perennial, from creeping rhizomes. Stems few- to several-branched. Leaves several; blade plane, ensiform. Inflorescences rhipidiate, several-flowered; spathes green, membranous distally. Flowers fleeting, erect, unscented, actinomorphic; tepals erect, basally connate into vestigial tube, light orange to reddish (rarely yellow), with scattered spots of darker pigment, obscurely clawed, ± equal, outer whorl slightly larger than inner; stamens diverging; filaments distinct; anthers diverging, not appressed to style branches; style slender, short, not extending between stamens, branching distally into lobes; lobes 3, flattened, stigmatic distally, stigmatic surfaces each subtended adaxially by paired flaps of tissue. Capsules ovoid-truncate, ± woody, apex obtuse. Seeds several, globose; seed coat blackish. x = 16.

Distribution

Asia including Japan, introduced in tropical Asia, the Pacific Islands, and parts of South America.

Discussion

Species 1 or 2 (1 in the flora).

Selected References

Mathew, B. 1990. The Iris, rev. ed. Portland.

Lower Taxa

Belamcanda chinensis