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acidanthera

Scientific Name: Acidanthera

Family: Iridaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Acidanthera murielae: The Abyssinian Gladiolus

Acidanthera murielae, also known as Abyssinian gladiolus, is a fragrant and elegant summer-blooming plant cherished for its beauty and ease of cultivation.

Considerations for Pets

  • The plant grows from corms.
  • The leaves are straight and sword-like.

Considerations for Children

  • The plant grows from corms.
  • The leaves are straight and sword-like.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

  • Scientific Name: Acidanthera murielae
  • Common Names: Abyssinian gladiolus, Abyssinian gladiola, Sword lily, Peacock Orchid, Abyssinian Lily
  • Synonyms: Acidanthera bicolor, Acidanthera bicolor 'Murielae', Gladiolus bicolor 'Murielae', Gladiolus callianthus, Gladiolus acidanthera, Gladiolus callianthus 'Muriaelae'
  • Originally described as Acidanthera bicolor by Christian Hochstetter in 1844.
  • In 1973, Wessel Marais reclassified the genus Acidanthera into Gladiolus.
  • Family: Iridaceae (iris family)

Morphology and Growth Habits

  • Grows from corms.
  • The leaves are straight, sword-like, and resemble those of crocosmia.
  • Produces star-shaped, pure white flowers with violet-carmine blotches in the center.
  • The flowers are sweetly scented and multiple flowers are produced by each bulb.

Cultivation

  • Half-hardy corm.
  • Plant between March and May for flowers between August and October.
  • Prefers a location in full sun.
  • If growing in containers, stop watering at the end of summer and bring the pots indoors for the winter.
  • Corms are usually lifted and stored warm and dry, free of any soil.
  • Massing acidanthera at the back of a border is a good idea, as the strappy leaves can look floppy.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to Ethiopia, specifically from the mountains.
  • Originally from Africa.

Quirky Facts

  • Despite being called "Peacock Orchid," Acidanthera bicolor is not an orchid but is related to the gladiolus.
  • The Victorians loved Acidanthera murielae for cut flowers.

Further Resources

  • The Plant List: Includes 47 scientific plant names of species rank for the genus Acidanthera.
  • Crocus: Online delivery for Abyssinian gladiolus.
  • The Bulb Nursery: More information on Acidanthera (Gladiolus Callianthus).
  • Suttons Seeds and Plants: Offers Acidanthera bulbs for sale.
  • Garden Centre Koeman: Offers Acidanthera bulbs for sale.