Moraea

Moraea is a genus of flowering plants in the iris family, Iridaceae. The group comprises roughly 100 to 150 species and is native to Africa, with the greatest diversity in southern Africa. Members are herbaceous perennials that grow from underground storage organs, typically corms, and produce linear to sword-shaped leaves. The flowering stalks carry showy inflorescences of six-petaled flowers, which can display a wide range of colors, including yellow, orange, white, pink, purple, and blue, often with contrasting patterns or veining.

The flowers resemble irises and are generally adapted to insect pollination, with floral markings that guide pollinators to nectar. Moraea species vary in growth form but commonly bloom in spring to early summer, sometimes after a period of dry dormancy. The plants are adapted to a variety of habitats across sub-Saharan Africa, from grasslands and savannas to rocky slopes and the fynbos of South Africa.

In cultivation, Moraea species are grown as ornamentals in temperate gardens and pot culture. They prefer well-drained soil and full sun and are typically drought-tolerant once established. Many species require a dry rest period in summer. Propagation is possible by seed or by division of corms, and several hybrids have been developed for garden use.

Conservation considerations vary by species, with some threatened by habitat loss, overcollection, or land-use changes. Moraea remains a distinct genus within Iridaceae, sharing a general African origin with related genera such as Ixia, while maintaining its own characteristic floral forms and ecological adaptations.