Cape Tulip Moraea polystachya

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Hard-care

ABOUT

The plant with the common name Moraea polystachya is an attractive flowering plant known for its distinctive and colorful blooms. The flowers are the most notable feature, typically vibrant in color, which can vary from shades of blue and violet to yellow, often with intricate markings or contrasting color patterns on their petals. These delicate flowers emerge from sword-shaped, fleshy green leaves that are arranged in a fan-like fashion. The leaves are smooth and can appear somewhat leathery, providing a lush backdrop for the striking flowers. The plant has a clumping growth habit, giving it a bushy appearance as it matures. Its overall silhouette and foliage create an appealing visual texture in garden settings.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Blue Tulp, Cape Tulip, Morea Iris, African Iris, Peacock Flower
- Common names
  Moraea polystachya, Homeria collina, Homeria flaccida, Homeria polystachya, Moraea collina, Moraea flaccida.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Moraea polystachya, commonly known as Fortnight Lily, is not widely reported to have significant toxicity to humans. However, as with many plants, it is advisable to exercise caution as individual sensitivities can vary, and ingesting plants that are not recognized as edible should generally be avoided to prevent potential adverse reactions.
- To pets
  Fortnight Lily, or Moraea polystachya, does not have a well-documented profile of toxicity to pets such as dogs and cats. While it is not specifically listed among commonly known toxic plants, it is still wise to prevent pets from ingesting this or any unknown plant materials. If a pet does consume Fortnight Lily, monitor for any signs of gastrointestinal distress or unusual behavior, and consult a veterinarian if symptoms arise.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Yellow
- Height
  2 feet (0.61 meters)
- Spread
  1 foot (0.30 meters)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  8
- Native area
  South Africa

Benefits

General Benefits
- Ornamental Value: Moraea polystachya, also known as Blue tassel flower, adds aesthetic beauty to gardens due to its vibrant blue to violet blossoms that resemble small irises.
- Habitat for Wildlife: The flowers of Blue tassel flower can attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and birds, thereby supporting biodiversity.
- Drought Tolerance: Being native to South Africa, this plant is adapted to survive in dry conditions, making it suitable for xeriscaping and water-efficient gardening.
- Easy to Grow: Blue tassel flower is known for being low-maintenance and easy to cultivate, requiring minimal care once established.
- Resilience to Pests: This plant has a natural resistance to many common garden pests, thus reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
- Seasonal Interest: The Blue tassel flower tends to bloom in late winter to spring, providing color and interest in the garden during this time.
- Soil Erosion Control: The structure of the Blue tassel flower, with its corms and roots, can help to stabilize soil and reduce erosion.
- Culinary Uses: While not a primary use, the corms of some Moraea species have historically been used as a food source, though it's important to ensure identification is correct to avoid toxicity.
- Companion Planting: Blue tassel flower can be used in mixed borders or interplanted with other species, complementing the overall garden design.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Ink Production: The sap of Cape tulip, Moraea polystachya, may be used as a natural dye or to develop inks for art and textile work.
- Erosion Control: The plant's extensive root system can help stabilize soil and prevent erosion in certain landscapes where it grows.
- Biological Pest Control: The plant has been studied for its potential use in controlling certain invasive snail species in agricultural settings.
- Educational Tool: Cape tulip can be used in botany education to illustrate plant growth patterns, floral structures, and plant reproduction processes, being a representative species of the Iridaceae family.
- Cultural Festivals: In regions where it is indigenous, the vibrant blooms of Cape tulip can be part of local cultural and floral festivals.
- Garden Aesthetics: The Cape tulip's showy flowers make it a valuable plant for ornamental purposes in thematic gardens that mimic South African flora.
- Natural Mulch: The dried leaves and stems can be used as a mulch to enrich the soil with organic matter as they decompose.
- Landscape Planning: As a site indicator species, it can be used in landscape planning and restoration to recreate specific native habitats.
- Photography: The flowers of Moraea polystachya provide stunning subjects for nature photographers, enhancing awareness and appreciation for natural beauty.
- Craft Supplies: Dried parts of the plant can be used in arts and crafts, such as in making dried flower arrangements or botanical prints.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Cape tulip is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Cape tulip is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Rarity: The Moraea polystachya, commonly known as the Cape Tulip, is not as widespread as other ornamental plants, emphasizing its uniqueness and the symbolism associated with rarity and the preciousness of uncommon beauty.
- Survival: As the Cape Tulip is known to grow in harsh environments, it can symbolize the ability to endure difficult conditions and the survival of beauty amid adversity.

💧

Every 7-10 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to summer

Propogation

✂️️

Not needed

Pruning

Water
For the Fortnight Lily (Moraea polystachya), it's important to water it deeply to ensure moisture reaches the roots, and then allow the soil to dry out slightly before watering again. In general, water this plant every 7 to 10 days with about 1 to 1.5 gallons of water, depending on the size of the plant and the environmental conditions. During the hot summer months, you may need to water more frequently if the soil dries out faster. Cut back on watering during the winter when the plant is dormant. Always check the top inch of soil for dryness before watering to prevent overwatering and root rot.
Light
The Fortnight Lily prefers full sun to partial shade for optimal growth. Place the plant in a location where it receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. If planted indoors, a sunny windowsill that offers bright, indirect light is ideal. Too little light may result in fewer blooms and a leggy growth habit.
Temperature
The Fortnight Lily thrives in a temperature range of 50 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. It can withstand minimum temperatures of around 20 degrees Fahrenheit, but it's not frost-hardy and should be protected from freezing conditions. The ideal temperature range for this plant is between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit to encourage healthy growth and flowering.
Pruning
Pruning the Fortnight Lily is necessary to remove spent flower stalks and encourage the plant to produce new blooms. Cut back the flower stems after the blooms have faded, but leave the foliage in place as it provides energy for the plant. Pruning can be done throughout the blooming season whenever blooms expire. The best time for general pruning is in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.
Cleaning
Not Needed
Soil
Cape Tulip thrives in a well-draining soil mix, preferably sandy with some organic material. A good mix can be composed of two parts sand, one part peat, and one part perlite or pumice. The ideal soil pH for Cape Tulip should be slightly acidic to neutral, around pH 6.0 to 7.0.
Repotting
Cape Tulip typically needs repotting every two to three years. It's best to repot in the dormant season, after the foliage has died back, which allows the bulb to settle into the new soil without stressing the active growth.
Humidity & Misting
Cape Tulip prefers moderate humidity levels. It does not require high humidity and will do well in typical household humidity levels ranging between 40% to 60%.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Ensure bright light, not direct sun, and well-draining soil.
- Outdoor
  Plant in partial sun, protect from frost, ensure soil drains.
- Hardiness zone
  9-11 USDA
Life cycle
Moraea polystachya, commonly known as the Fortnight Lily, begins its life cycle as a seed that sprouts to form a small bulb. This bulb then develops into a plant with long, narrow leaves and a sturdy stem. The plant enters a vegetative growth stage where it accumulates resources through photosynthesis. After a period of growth, it progresses to the flowering stage, producing distinctive yellow or blue flowers that open in the afternoon and close by night; this typically occurs in the warmer months. Following pollination, the flowers produce seed capsules containing seeds that are dispersed when mature. The Fortnight lily may go dormant during periods of cold or drought, with the bulb surviving underground, before re-emerging during favorable conditions to complete the cycle again.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to summer
- Propogation: Moraea polystachya, commonly known as the Fortnight Lily, is often propagated by dividing its corms, which is considered the most popular method. The best time to propagate by division is in the late summer or early fall, after the plant has finished blooming. To divide the corms, carefully dig up the clump and separate the corms by hand, ensuring each division has at least one growth point. Replant the corms immediately at a depth of about 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10.2 centimeters) in well-draining soil, spacing them about 6 to 8 inches (15.2 to 20.3 centimeters) apart. Water the new plantings thoroughly to help establish them. This method of vegetative propagation ensures that the new plants are true to the parent and usually results in flowering in subsequent seasons.