This plant with scarlet flowers is currently (early summer) growing in
a Sydney park. The environment is regularly mown lawn.

The plant is growing among buffalo grass, and the leaves look for all
the world like that grass. The leaves have only ribs, so I guess it is
a monocot.

There is a hazel nut sized, but oval shaped, brown corm at the base of
the stem.

What is this plant?

http://www.box.net/shared/static/ipl86k6m2j.jpg

"Richard Wright" wrote in message
...
This plant with scarlet flowers is currently (early summer) growing in
a Sydney park. The environment is regularly mown lawn.

The plant is growing among buffalo grass, and the leaves look for all
the world like that grass. The leaves have only ribs, so I guess it is
a monocot.

There is a hazel nut sized, but oval shaped, brown corm at the base of
the stem.

What is this plant?

http://www.box.net/shared/static/ipl86k6m2j.jpg

Not sure but it looks like some of these
http://images.google.com.au/images?h...-8&sa=N&tab=wi. I
think these have been reclassified as Gladiolus.

Cannot see how many stamens there are. If 6, try Liliaceae; if
3, try Iradiaceae - (or equivalents if you use APG taxonomy).
Looks a bit like a Clivia or Kaffir Lily (which is an
Iradiaceae).

Peter

"Richard Wright" wrote in message
...
This plant with scarlet flowers is currently (early summer)
growing in
a Sydney park. The environment is regularly mown lawn.

The plant is growing among buffalo grass, and the leaves look
for all
the world like that grass. The leaves have only ribs, so I
guess it is
a monocot.

There is a hazel nut sized, but oval shaped, brown corm at the
base of
the stem.

What is this plant?

http://www.box.net/shared/static/ipl86k6m2j.jpg

On Sat, 01 Nov 2008 09:52:05 +1100, Richard Wright
wrote:

This plant with scarlet flowers is currently (early summer) growing in
a Sydney park. The environment is regularly mown lawn.

The plant is growing among buffalo grass, and the leaves look for all
the world like that grass. The leaves have only ribs, so I guess it is
a monocot.

There is a hazel nut sized, but oval shaped, brown corm at the base of
the stem.

What is this plant?

http://www.box.net/shared/static/ipl86k6m2j.jpg

Thanks to Peter and Loosecannon.

Following those leads, I now think it is a variety of Moraea miniata.

See, for example:

http://www.weeds.org.au/cgi-bin/weed...all&car d=H20

The leaves on the specimen I found have been severely truncated by
lawn mowing.

"Richard Wright" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 01 Nov 2008 09:52:05 +1100, Richard Wright
wrote:

This plant with scarlet flowers is currently (early summer) growing in
a Sydney park. The environment is regularly mown lawn.

The plant is growing among buffalo grass, and the leaves look for all
the world like that grass. The leaves have only ribs, so I guess it is
a monocot.

There is a hazel nut sized, but oval shaped, brown corm at the base of
the stem.

What is this plant?

http://www.box.net/shared/static/ipl86k6m2j.jpg

Thanks to Peter and Loosecannon.

Following those leads, I now think it is a variety of Moraea miniata.

See, for example:

http://www.weeds.org.au/cgi-bin/weed...all&car d=H20

The leaves on the specimen I found have been severely truncated by
lawn mowing.

To be honest I have that one growing on my property and it is more of an
orange/pink flower whereas your photo shows the flower as red. Even though a
lawnmower has gone over it the leaf structure is different. I originally
thought is could be a Babiana and even a Tritonia but the reds in Babiana
are different and Tritonia's don't appear to come in red. The search goes on
I think....

Richard

On Sun, 2 Nov 2008 18:10:52 +0900, "Loosecanon"
wrote:


"Richard Wright" wrote in message
.. .
On Sat, 01 Nov 2008 09:52:05 +1100, Richard Wright
wrote:

This plant with scarlet flowers is currently (early summer) growing in
a Sydney park. The environment is regularly mown lawn.

The plant is growing among buffalo grass, and the leaves look for all
the world like that grass. The leaves have only ribs, so I guess it is
a monocot.

There is a hazel nut sized, but oval shaped, brown corm at the base of
the stem.

What is this plant?

http://www.box.net/shared/static/ipl86k6m2j.jpg

Thanks to Peter and Loosecannon.

Following those leads, I now think it is a variety of Moraea miniata.

See, for example:

http://www.weeds.org.au/cgi-bin/weed...all&car d=H20

The leaves on the specimen I found have been severely truncated by
lawn mowing.

To be honest I have that one growing on my property and it is more of an
orange/pink flower whereas your photo shows the flower as red. Even though a
lawnmower has gone over it the leaf structure is different. I originally
thought is could be a Babiana and even a Tritonia but the reds in Babiana
are different and Tritonia's don't appear to come in red. The search goes on
I think....

Richard


You are right - the flower is scarlet.

I agree the search must go on.

To assist this I have posted a photo of the flower that shows more
detail.

The length of each petal is 9 mm. Note the brown base to the three
lower petals.

http://www.box.net/shared/static/zscyia95m1.jpg

You are right - the flower is scarlet.

I agree the search must go on.

To assist this I have posted a photo of the flower that shows more
detail.

The length of each petal is 9 mm. Note the brown base to the three
lower petals.

http://www.box.net/shared/static/zscyia95m1.jpg

Perhaps a Fressia laxa
http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pb..._laxa_msi2.jpg
http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pb..._laxa_msi3.jpg
http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pb..._laxa_msi4.jpg
http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pb..._corms_msi.jpg
http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pb...laxa_seeds.jpg

On Oct 31, 3:52*pm, Richard Wright wrote:
This plant with scarlet flowers is currently (early summer) growing in
a Sydney park. The environment is regularly mown lawn.

The plant is growing among buffalo grass, and the leaves look for all
the world like that grass. The leaves have only ribs, so I guess it is
a monocot.

There is a hazel nut sized, but oval shaped, brown corm at the base of
the stem.

What is this plant?

http://www.box.net/shared/static/ipl86k6m2j.jpg

Richard,

OT a bit: What species are you calling buffalo grass? Here in
Colorado, USA, we call Buchloe dactyloides buffalo grass. It was
often found in bison wallows.

In article
,
jon wrote:

OT a bit: What species are you calling buffalo grass? Here in
Colorado, USA, we call Buchloe dactyloides buffalo grass. It was
often found in bison wallows.

Apparently what Aussies call Buffalo grass is Stenotaphrum secundatum,
elsewhere called St Augustine Grass:
http://www.gardenet.com.au/turf/bu/buffalo.htm

It is widely used as a lawn grass, being tough but not overly aggressive. At
least in Sydney.

--
Chookie -- Sydney, Australia
(Replace "foulspambegone" with "optushome" to reply)

http://chookiesbackyard.blogspot.com/

On Mon, 3 Nov 2008 13:13:50 +0900, "Loosecanon"
wrote:



You are right - the flower is scarlet.

I agree the search must go on.

To assist this I have posted a photo of the flower that shows more
detail.

The length of each petal is 9 mm. Note the brown base to the three
lower petals.

http://www.box.net/shared/static/zscyia95m1.jpg

Perhaps a Fressia laxa
http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pb..._laxa_msi2.jpg
http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pb..._laxa_msi3.jpg
http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pb..._laxa_msi4.jpg
http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pb..._corms_msi.jpg
http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pb...laxa_seeds.jpg


Thanks. This is definitely the species.

Hi Richard

It is difficult from photos accurately to determine many plants.
My book, admittedly written from a European perspective, gives
the following characteristics to look for in a Freesia:

-Slightly irregular, 6 petal (strictly 3 petals and 3 very
similar sepals) flower with 3 stamens (your photo appears to have
6 stamens); style usually 3-branched.
-Style branches narrow (not petaloid)
-Few to many flowers on stem, in spikes or panicles (not at end
of stem like crocus)
-Plant with a corm (as shown in one of Loosescan's photos)
-Style 3-branched, with each branch bifid (split in two)
-Bracts 1.5cm; spike bent horizontally near lowest flower;
flowers on one side of stem; leaves soft; wingless seeds.

From this description (Stace New Flora of thee British Isles), I
suspect that your plant is not a Freesia. Sorry - I cannot tell
you what it is.

Peter
-

"Richard Wright" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 3 Nov 2008 13:13:50 +0900, "Loosecanon"
wrote:



You are right - the flower is scarlet.

I agree the search must go on.

To assist this I have posted a photo of the flower that shows
more
detail.

The length of each petal is 9 mm. Note the brown base to the
three
lower petals.

http://www.box.net/shared/static/zscyia95m1.jpg

Perhaps a Fressia laxa
http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pb..._laxa_msi2.jpg
http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pb..._laxa_msi3.jpg
http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pb..._laxa_msi4.jpg
http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pb..._corms_msi.jpg
http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pb...laxa_seeds.jpg


Thanks. This is definitely the species.

On Tue, 4 Nov 2008 11:34:28 -0000, "Peter"
wrote:

Hi Richard

It is difficult from photos accurately to determine many plants.
My book, admittedly written from a European perspective, gives
the following characteristics to look for in a Freesia:

-Slightly irregular, 6 petal (strictly 3 petals and 3 very
similar sepals) flower with 3 stamens (your photo appears to have
6 stamens); style usually 3-branched.
-Style branches narrow (not petaloid)
-Few to many flowers on stem, in spikes or panicles (not at end
of stem like crocus)
-Plant with a corm (as shown in one of Loosescan's photos)
-Style 3-branched, with each branch bifid (split in two)
-Bracts 1.5cm; spike bent horizontally near lowest flower;
flowers on one side of stem; leaves soft; wingless seeds.

From this description (Stace New Flora of thee British Isles), I
suspect that your plant is not a Freesia. Sorry - I cannot tell
you what it is.

Peter
-

"Richard Wright" wrote in message
.. .
On Mon, 3 Nov 2008 13:13:50 +0900, "Loosecanon"
wrote:



You are right - the flower is scarlet.

I agree the search must go on.

To assist this I have posted a photo of the flower that shows
more
detail.

The length of each petal is 9 mm. Note the brown base to the
three
lower petals.

http://www.box.net/shared/static/zscyia95m1.jpg

Perhaps a Fressia laxa
http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pb..._laxa_msi2.jpg
http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pb..._laxa_msi3.jpg
http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pb..._laxa_msi4.jpg
http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pb..._corms_msi.jpg
http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pb...laxa_seeds.jpg


Thanks. This is definitely the species.


Peter

The pictures of Freesia laxa (see URLs above) are identical to my
plant. However on pursuing the matter further I find that this plant
has been removed from the Freesia genus and renamed Anomatheca laxa.
So perhaps that reconciles things.

Furthermore the plant is naturalised in Sydney, where I saw it
growing:

http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cg...nomatheca~laxa

Richard

Hi Richard

I am sure that you are right as you have the plant there in front
of you. Even though scientific names are meant to be standard,
they are often changed, much to the confusion of this aging,
amateur botanist.

What a great website you quote. I have done several trips to
Australia, having family in Sydney and friends in Melbourne and
Perth. One of my principle pleasures there is your amazing
flora. I would have been immensely helped by a resource such as
this. I will bookmark it for future visits.

Best wishes

Peter

"Richard Wright" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 4 Nov 2008 11:34:28 -0000, "Peter"
wrote:

Hi Richard

It is difficult from photos accurately to determine many
plants.
My book, admittedly written from a European perspective, gives
the following characteristics to look for in a Freesia:

-Slightly irregular, 6 petal (strictly 3 petals and 3 very
similar sepals) flower with 3 stamens (your photo appears to
have
6 stamens); style usually 3-branched.
-Style branches narrow (not petaloid)
-Few to many flowers on stem, in spikes or panicles (not at end
of stem like crocus)
-Plant with a corm (as shown in one of Loosescan's photos)
-Style 3-branched, with each branch bifid (split in two)
-Bracts 1.5cm; spike bent horizontally near lowest flower;
flowers on one side of stem; leaves soft; wingless seeds.

From this description (Stace New Flora of thee British Isles),
I
suspect that your plant is not a Freesia. Sorry - I cannot
tell
you what it is.

Peter
-

"Richard Wright" wrote in message
. ..
On Mon, 3 Nov 2008 13:13:50 +0900, "Loosecanon"
wrote:



You are right - the flower is scarlet.

I agree the search must go on.

To assist this I have posted a photo of the flower that
shows
more
detail.

The length of each petal is 9 mm. Note the brown base to
the
three
lower petals.

http://www.box.net/shared/static/zscyia95m1.jpg

Perhaps a Fressia laxa
http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pb..._laxa_msi2.jpg
http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pb..._laxa_msi3.jpg
http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pb..._laxa_msi4.jpg
http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pb..._corms_msi.jpg
http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pb...laxa_seeds.jpg


Thanks. This is definitely the species.


Peter

The pictures of Freesia laxa (see URLs above) are identical to
my
plant. However on pursuing the matter further I find that this
plant
has been removed from the Freesia genus and renamed Anomatheca
laxa.
So perhaps that reconciles things.

Furthermore the plant is naturalised in Sydney, where I saw it
growing:

http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cg...nomatheca~laxa

Richard

Not being a botanist or taxonomist I never know how pressing some of
these namings are.

My chief amateur's hate is the introduction of the rule that a family
must have a genus with the name that produces the name of the family -
Hence long entrenched family names Umbilliferae and Brassicaceae were
thrown out of the window. I suppose somebody made a botanical
reputation out of engineering these changes. Confusion was created in
the name of tidiness.

I grew up in southern England, where one could learn to identify just
about every flowering plant. Not so here in Oz, I have found.

Richard


On Wed, 5 Nov 2008 11:32:07 -0000, "Peter"
wrote:

Hi Richard

I am sure that you are right as you have the plant there in front
of you. Even though scientific names are meant to be standard,
they are often changed, much to the confusion of this aging,
amateur botanist.

What a great website you quote. I have done several trips to
Australia, having family in Sydney and friends in Melbourne and
Perth. One of my principle pleasures there is your amazing
flora. I would have been immensely helped by a resource such as
this. I will bookmark it for future visits.

Best wishes

Peter

[remainder of thread snipped]

"Peter" wrote in message

What a great website you quote. I have done several trips to Australia,
having family in Sydney and friends in Melbourne and Perth. One of my
principle pleasures there is your amazing flora. I would have been
immensely helped by a resource such as this. I will bookmark it for
future visits.

I find this site useful too:
http://www.cpbr.gov.au/anbg/