Moraea Mill., Fig. Pl. Gard. Dict. 2: 159 (1758), nom. Cons.
In Cyclopedia American Horticulture (1906): "MORAEA (probably named after Robert More, botanist, Shrewsbury, England). Iridaceae. Charming bulbous plants much like Irises, but unfortunately they are not so hardy as the common Irises and the individual fls. last only a day or so. Morsea is a genus of about 6O species, 45 of which are S. African, while the rest are chiefly from tropical Africa. Moraea is the African representative of Iris. No one character will separate the two genera. Moraeas have no perianth tube, while Irises usually have one. > subgenus which differs from it in having the ovary extended into a long beak which looks like a perianth tube, but none of this group is cult. The Moraeas proper are about as tender as other Cape bulbs. The amateur may find some suggestions as to their culture under Bulbs, Iris and Ixia.
By far the largest and most remarkable plant of the genus is Moraea Robinsoniana ( Dietes Robinsoniana). This grows 6-8 ft. high and has the habit of the New Zealand flax, Phormium tenax. A splendid specimen mentioned in B.M. 7212 bore 457 flowers between June 20 and Oct. 1. The individual fls. are 4 in. across, fragrant and last only a day. At Kew this noble plant has been successfully grown in the south end of a house. The stately plant pictured in G.F. 10:255 grew in a Californian garden and was said to be 16 years old from seed. The finest picture, however, is that in G.F. 4:355."
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