Synonyms: Gynandriris APNI*
Galaxia APNI*
Hexaglottis APNI*
Description: Perennial herbs with annual leaves and flowers; corm globose, tunic of coarse woody fibres.
Leaves 1–several, ± basal, linear, channelled with a sheathing base. Scape erect, often branched, with reduced sheathing bracts at nodes; inflorescence cymose, 2–6-flowered, enclosed by herbaceous spathe bracts.
Flowers actinomrphic. Perianth tube [short] or absent; tepals entire, subequal, clawed at base, spreading. Stamens monadelphous. Style 3-branched; branches flattened, oblong or shortly 2-lobed, occasionally with 2 minute incurved crests.
Capsule cylindrical, usually exserted; seeds numerous, angular, brown.
Distribution and occurrence: World: c. 31 species, southern Africa. Australia: 2 species (naturalized): N.S.W., Vic., Tas., S.A., W.A.
Text by T. A. James & E. A. Brown
Taxon concept:
| | Key to the species | |
| 1 | Style with petaloid branches, each covering a stamen | Moraea setifolia |
| Style without prominently crested petaloid branches; stamens exposed | 2 |
| 2 | Leaves 2 or 3; bulbils produced in axils after flowering | Moraea miniata |
| Leaf solitary; bulbils absent
Back to 1 | 3 |
| 3 | Flowering stem bracts 6–7 cm long; style crests vestigial and obtuse or absent | Moraea ochroleuca |
| Flowering stem bracts 2–6 cm long; style crests acute, c. 1 mm long
Back to 2 | 4 |
| 4 | Robust plants to 60 cm high; lamina 9–13 mm wide; tepals salmon-orange or yellow, to 40 mm long, claws forming a wide, shallow cup; anthers 8–11 mm long; capsule 25–55 mm long, tapering near apex with a distinct beak 2–3 mm long | Moraea flaccida |
| Smaller plants to c. 35 cm high; lamina 4–10 mm wide; tepals pale yellow or salmon pink, claws forming a narrow cup; anthers 5–6 mm long; capsule mostly 30–40 mm long with a short, obtuse beak c. 1 mm long
Back to 3 | Moraea collina |
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