Both Crocosmia crocosmia (Belamcanda chinensis) and Montbretia crocosmia (Montbretia crocosmia) are perennial plants native to Africa, belonging to the genus Crocosmia in the Iridaceae family. They are commonly cultivated as ornamental plants, share many similarities such as having underground bulbs and producing red flowers, and many people may confuse them. However, there are differences between these two species in the degree of flower opening and color. Currently, the dominant species in Japan is almost exclusively Montbretia crocosmia. The plant from which the name of Montbretia crocosmia originates does not have a bulb, and its flowers have patterns, making it easy to distinguish if the flowers are in bloom. This article will explain the classification of Montbretia crocosmia, Crocosmia crocosmia, and Belamcanda chinensis.

What are Crocosmia and Crocosmia?

Crocosmia aurea, also known as the iris or fan narcissus, is a perennial plant distributed in eastern and southern Africa, growing in shady forests and riverbanks (RBG Kew, 2023). In Japan, it is cultivated for ornamental purposes. It blooms from June to August.

Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora, also known as Montbretia or Dwarf Iris, is native to South Africa and was developed in Europe (France) in 1880 as a cultivated hybrid of Crocosmia crocosmiiflora and Crocosmia pottsii. It was introduced to Japan in the mid-Meiji period (around 1890) and cultivated for ornamental purposes. Cultivated individuals have become naturalized throughout Japan. It blooms from June to August.

All of them belong to the genus Crocosmia in the Iridaceae family and are perennial plants native to Africa. They are commonly cultivated as ornamental plants, and they share several common characteristics, including having underground bulbs and producing red flowers.

[Seed Plant Encyclopedia #083] What are the species of the Iridaceae family? Photo list

The Iridaceae family consists of annual or perennial herbs. They have rhizomes, corms, or bulbs underground. The leaves are sword-shaped, flattened, alternate, and strabiate. The flowers are bisexual and radially or bilaterally symmetrical. There are three inner and three outer perianth segments, either identical in shape or with larger outer segments, fused at the base...

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On the internet, only the lesser crocosmia is introduced, and some people may not know about the crocosmia plant itself, or the difference between the lesser crocosmia and the crocosmia.

What is the difference between Crocosmia crocosmia and Crocosmia gracilis?

However, there are significant differences between Crocosmia crocosmia and Crocosmia gracilis.

As mentioned above, Crocosmia gracilis is a hybrid of Crocosmia gracilis and Iris gracilis. Therefore, it possesses characteristics intermediate between Crocosmia gracilis and Iris gracilis.

Specifically, the difference lies in how the flowers open: in Crocosmia, the flowers open fully like ordinary flowers, while in Iris gracilipes, the flowers close up and become tubular.

Therefore, in Crocosmia crocosmiifolia, the flowers open slightly in between, but the inside remains completely hidden.

Another difference is that in Crocosmia crocosmia, the inside of the perianth segments is uniformly yellow, whereas in Crocosmia gracilis, the inside of the perianth segments is orange-red with the base often tinged with yellow.

Think of perianth segments as the same thing as petals. They're called this because they're indistinguishable from sepals.

In addition, as the name suggests, Crocosmia gracilis can grow up to 120 cm tall, while Crocosmia gracilis only reaches a maximum height of 90 cm.

The above should make it possible to distinguish between them. However, recently, most of the flowers seen in Japan are Crocosmia gracilis.

What is the difference between Crocosmia gracilis and Belamcanda chinensis?

The name *Himehiougisuisen* (small crocosmia) comes from the *Hiougi* (belly grass), but what are the differences between these two species?

Iris domestica, also known as the bellflower, is a perennial herb that grows in mountain grasslands and is also cultivated in Japan (west of the Kanto region), Shikoku, Kyushu, and the Ryukyu Islands; the Korean Peninsula; China; Southeast Asia; and India. (Kanagawa Prefecture Flora Survey Association, 2018)

First, although both species belong to the Iridaceae family, Crocosmia crocosmifolia belongs to the Crocosmia genus, while Iris ensata belongs to the Iris genus. Therefore, it can be expected that there are significant differences between them.

Specifically, the difference lies in the fact that in the genus *Crocosmia*, stems emerge from corms (underground stems that have swollen into a spherical shape by storing nutrients such as starch) and produce spike-like inflorescences, while in the genus *Iris*, stems emerge from rhizomes and produce racemes.

Therefore, Crocosmia has a corm, which is a type of bulb, and can be grown by planting the corm, but this is not the case with Belamcanda chinensis. The name "Narcissus" comes from this. However, the bulb of the narcissus is a bulbous structure (an underground stem with many fleshy, scale-like leaves).

Another notable feature of the Belamcanda chinensis is that its flowers fully open and have patterns on the perianth segments.

References

Kanagawa Prefecture Flora Survey Association. 2018. Kanagawa Prefecture Flora 2018 (Electronic Edition). Kanagawa Prefecture Flora Survey Association, Odawara. 1803pp. ISBN: 9784991053726

RBG Kew. 2023. The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants. Plants of the World Online. http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/

The family Costaceae is a pantropical monocotyledonous plant. The leaves are arranged spirally, and the leaves at the base of the stem are usually wingless. The base of the leaves has a closed leaf sheath, and there is a projection called a ligule at the top of the leaf sheath. What distinguishes it from other Zingiberales species is that it has five fused stamens instead of two or three, and it does not contain aromatic oil. The fusion of five stamens instead of two or three is thought to serve the function of attracting pollinators. The flowers are single in the genus Monocostus. In other genera, the flowers are borne in broad inflorescences ranging from slender to almost capitulum-like. The flowers are enclosed in large bracts. The fruit is a capsule. The rhizome is fleshy and has a tuberous root. Approximately 143 species are known, including 1 in the genus Monocostus, 2 in Dimerocostus, 16 in Tapeinochilos, 2 in Paracostus, about 8 in Chamaecostus, about 5 in Hellenia, and about 80 in Costus. They are native to the tropical regions of Asia, Africa, Central America, and South America. Several species are cultivated.

This article provides a comprehensive, field guide-style introduction to plants belonging to the Iridaceae family.

The photos are replaced as soon as better ones are taken. Also, while the identification is done by the author, please note that if there are any misidentifications, they may be changed without notice.

No.0644.b Spiral Ginger Costus comosus var. bakeri

Spiral ginger is commonly known by the scientific name Costus barbatus, but this is incorrect; the listed scientific name is correct (Skinner, 2016). Currently, it is not correctly described in many countries, including Japan and the United States, except for Australia. True Costus barbatus is endemic to the Central Valley region of Costa Rica and is not cultivated. Differences include longer petioles and flowers covered in soft hairs. Skinner spent many years searching for Costus barbatus, finally discovering it growing in 2011 in a streambed in a forest area east of San Jose, Costa Rica. It has only been seen in one other location and is listed as an endangered species on the Red List. It is a rhizome-like perennial herb with slender, reed-like stems up to 2 meters tall. The leaves, up to 40 cm long and 10 cm wide, are arranged spirally on the stem, with a strong glossy green at the top and a darker, almost black, base. The inflorescence is a conical spike 20–30 cm long, with bright red, waxy bracts containing showy yellow tubular flowers 4 cm long. The fruit is a spherical berry, 4 cm long and 2.5 cm wide, containing black seeds. It reproduces by fission and seed. It is native to the moist forests of Central America, from southern Mexico to Ecuador. It is frequently cultivated as an ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical regions. Some species of the genus Costus have evolved from bee-pollinated to hummingbird-pollinated, resulting in altered flower morphology (Kay & Grossenbacher, 2022). This species is pollinated by hummingbirds.

References

Kay, KM, & Grossenbacher, DL 2022. Evolutionary convergence on hummingbird pollination in Neotropical Costus provides insight into the causes of pollinator shifts. New Phytologist 236(4): 1572-1583. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.18464

Skinner, D. 2016. Ornamental costus. Ornamental Horticulture 22: 307-317. ISSN: 2447-536X, https://doi.org/10.14295/oh.v22i3.984

The Iridaceae family consists of annual or perennial herbs. They have rhizomes, corms, or bulbs underground. The leaves are sword-shaped, flattened, alternate, and strabiate. The flowers are bisexual and radially or bilaterally symmetrical. There are three inner and three outer perianth segments, which are either identical in shape or the outer segments are larger and fused at the base. There are three stamens, the pistil has a three-lobed style, an inferior ovary with three chambers and axial placenta. The fruit is a capsule that dehisces dorsally (lobular dehiscation) in each chamber of the ovary. In Japan, the genus Iris is native, while the genera Sisyrinchium and Crocosmia are naturalized. Belamcanda was previously classified under the genus Belamcanda, but due to changes in the classification system, it has been integrated into the genus Iris. The dwarf crocosmia, previously classified under the genus Tritonia, has now been reclassified into the genus Crocosmia.

This article provides a comprehensive, illustrated guide to plants belonging to the Iris family.

The basic information is based on Tsukamoto (1994) and the Kanagawa Prefectural Flora Survey Association (2018). Photographs are replaced as better ones become available. While the identifications are made by the author, please note that they may be changed without notice if misidentifications are found.

No.0491 Iris sanguinea

This is a perennial herb. The rhizome creeps horizontally and is covered in brown fibers. The leaves are sword-shaped, 30-50 cm long and 5-10 mm wide, with a thin, inconspicuous central vein. The flower stalk is 30-60 cm tall. It blooms from May to July. The flowers are about 8 cm in diameter and bluish-purple. The outer perianth segments are broadly obovate, thick and yellow to white from the base to the claw, with a purple reticulate pattern. The inner perianth segments are small, about 4 cm, spatulate, and erect. The style branches are 2-lobed at the tip, and the lobes have serrations. The capsule is oblong, 4 cm long. It is distributed in Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu; the Korean Peninsula; northeastern China; and eastern Siberia. It grows in grasslands in mountainous areas. It is often cultivated or escaped from cultivation.

No.0492 Iris sanguinea var. violacea

This is a variety of iris with flower stalks that protrude higher than the leaves, darker colored flowers, and wider outer perianth segments. The name is a Japanese reading of Busan. Leaves grow in clusters from a rhizome that grows diagonally. The leaves are slender and sword-shaped, slightly twisted, and the main vein is not prominent. The base is sheath-like and reddish. Several dark bluish-purple flowers bloom at the end of an upright flower stalk. The three inner perianth segments are spatulate and erect, while the three outer perianth segments are about 6 cm long, spreading laterally and drooping at the tip, with a reticulated pattern at the base. The oblong capsules face upwards and split into three sections at the tip when ripe. It is distributed in eastern China and the Korean Peninsula, and is cultivated in Japan for ornamental purposes and as a cut flower. It grows in relatively dry places.

No. 0493 Japanese Iris (Iris ensata var. ensata)

Perennial herb. The wild species, Iris ensata var. spontanea, has branched rhizomes that are encased in the fibers of old leaves. The leaves are sword-shaped, 30-60 cm long and 5-12 mm wide, with a prominent thick central vein. The flower stalks are 40-80 cm tall. It blooms in June and July. The flowers are about 10 cm in diameter and reddish-purple. The outer perianth segments are oval-shaped with drooping tips, and the base from the center to the claw is yellow. The inner perianth segments are oblong and erect. The style branches at the end, and the lobes are entire. The capsule is oval-shaped, 2-3 cm long. Iris ensata var. ensata is a cultivated variety improved from Iris ensata, which grows in wetlands in mountainous areas. Its inner perianth segments are larger and almost the same shape as the outer perianth segments. It also has a wide variety of colors, with over 500 cultivars.

No. 0495 Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus)

This is a perennial herb. Its rhizome is strong and well-developed. The leaves are sword-shaped, 60-100 cm long and 2-3 cm wide, with a prominent, raised central vein. The flower stalk is 60-100 cm tall and branched. It flowers in May and June. The flowers are bright yellow. The outer perianth segments are broadly ovate with drooping tips and brown stripes at the base. The inner perianth segments are small, oblong, and erect. The style branches are two-lobed at the tip, and the edges of the lobes are serrated. The capsule is oblong, 6-7 cm long. Native to Europe and West Asia, it was imported to Japan around 1897 (Meiji 30) as an ornamental plant and is cultivated or naturalized in waterside areas throughout Japan. It is somewhat drought-tolerant and grows in forest edges. It is also distributed as an introduced species in Australia, North America, South America, and the Atlantic Islands. It has been selected as one of Japan's 100 worst invasive alien species and as an alien species that causes damage to ecosystems by the Ministry of the Environment, raising concerns about its expanding distribution and impact on native plant species.

No. 0496 Iris laevigata

This is a perennial herb. The rhizome is branched and covered with numerous fibers. The leaves are 30-70 cm long and 2-3 cm wide, and lack a central vein. The flower stalk is 40-70 cm tall. It blooms in May and June. The flowers are purple and about 12 cm in diameter. The outer perianth segments are large and oval, and droop. The claws are pale yellow to white, and the tips are slender and pointed. The inner perianth segments are oblanceolate and erect, about 6 cm long. The pistil's style branches are two-lobed at the end, and the lobes are entire. The capsule is oblong, 4-5 cm long. It is distributed in Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, Korea, China, and eastern Siberia. It grows in wetlands. It is also cultivated for ornamental purposes in ponds, etc. Escaped cultivation is common. There is a white-flowered variety called Iris laevigata f. leucantha, and there are many horticultural varieties.

No. 0497 Iris japonica

This is a perennial herb. Its rhizomes creep horizontally, producing long stolons that form clumps. The leaves are evergreen, dark green, glossy, 30-60 cm long and 2-3 cm wide, thick and stiff. The flower stalks are 30-70 cm tall, branched, and bear numerous flowers. It flowers in April and May. The flowers are about 5 cm in diameter and range in color from white to pale bluish-purple. The outer perianth segments are obovate, with finely incised edges, and have a yellow-orange spot on the central vein of the upper surface, forming a comb-like projection. There are bluish-purple spots around this area. The inner perianth segments are somewhat smaller, oblong, and two-lobed at the tip, with the tips of the lobes finely incised. The three branches at the top of the style are each two-lobed at the tip, with the tips of the lobes finely incised. It is usually triploid and does not produce fruit. It is distributed in Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, China, and Myanmar. It is said to have been introduced from China long ago and has become naturalized. They grow in clusters on the forest floor and at the forest edge near human settlements.

No. 0498 Iris gracilipes

This is a perennial herb. Its rhizomes creep horizontally. The leaves are pale green, 20-40 cm long and 5-15 mm wide, and wither in winter. The flower stalks are 15-30 cm tall and bear only 2-3 flowers. It flowers in May and June. The flowers are about 4 cm in diameter and pale purple. The outer perianth segments are obovate, entire, with a white center, purple veins and yellow spots, and a comb-like projection. The inner perianth segments are also entire, spatulate-oblong, and somewhat small. The tip of the style branch is completely 2-lobed and further divided into smaller segments. The capsule is spherical and about 8 mm in diameter. It is distributed in Hokkaido (southwestern part), Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. It grows in rocky areas in mountainous regions and in sandy or gravelly areas within sparse forests.

No.0503 Ichihatsu Iris tectorum

This perennial plant is said to have been named "Ichibatsu" (meaning "first bloomer") because it is the earliest flowering member of the iris family. It has a yellow rhizome underground. The leaves are sword-shaped, similar to those of the Japanese iris (Shaga), 2.5-3.5 cm wide and 30-60 cm long, with no raised midrib and entire margins. It flowers in May, with flower stalks 30-50 cm tall that branch and bear 2-3 flowers. The flowers are about 10 cm in diameter, purplish-brown, with obovate outer perianth segments with rounded tips and small inner perianth segments that both spread flat. What distinguishes it from other species is that the outer and inner petals spread out, giving it a flat flower shape. The outer perianth segments are scattered with dark purple spots, and there is a white, comb-like projection from the base to the center. It is distributed in central to southwestern China and northern Myanmar. It was introduced to Japan during the Edo period and has been cultivated as an ornamental plant. In the past, there was a superstition that it could protect against strong winds, so it was customary to plant it on the ridge of a farmhouse's thatched roof. Some have escaped cultivation and become naturalized. It prefers dry areas with partial shade.

No. 0504 Fragrant Iris (Iris germanica 'Florentina')‘

This evergreen perennial herb grows to a height of about 40-50 cm. Its root system spreads horizontally in a fan shape, is oblong, and persists for several years. The leaves are mostly basal, arranged alternately in two rows, and are sword-shaped. In spring, flower stalks emerge from between the leaves, bearing several white flowers at the top of the stem. In addition to its medicinal uses, it is enjoyed as an ornamental plant in flowerbeds and pots. It is native to Southern Europe, specifically Italy and France. It is cultivated in temperate regions worldwide. It was introduced to Japan around 1867.

No. 0506 Dutch Iris (Iris x hollandica)

This perennial plant is also known as Dutch iris. It is a bulbous iris created in the Netherlands by crossbreeding Spanish iris (I. xiphium) with Moroccan iris (I. tingitana) and I. fontanesii. The bulb is spindle-shaped, and when planted in autumn, it produces several leathery leaves and a rigid flower stalk from the center, bearing several flowers at the top. The flowers come in white, yellow, and blue, and are often used as cut flowers. The flower stalk can reach about 50 cm in length, and the flowers can be 10 cm or more in diameter. It is also suitable for garden planting and blooms from April to May.

No. 0508 Iris domestica

This is a perennial herb. Its branching rhizomes creep along the ground in short strips. The leaves are arranged alternately in two rows, forming a fan shape. They are broadly sword-shaped, 30-50 cm long and 2-4 cm wide, green with a powdery white coating. The flower stalk is 60-100 cm tall, branching at the top. Bracts are attached to the ends of the branches, from which several pedicels 1-4 cm long emerge, bearing 2-6 flowers. It blooms from July to September. The flowers are about 4 cm in diameter, radially symmetrical, and face upward. There are six narrow, oblong perianth segments, both inner and outer, similar in shape and size, but the inner segments are wider. They are orange with red spots covering the entire inner surface of both segments. The bases are fused. There are three stamens, erect and surrounding the style, attached to the base of the perianth segments. The anthers are yellow-orange. The upper part of the style is thread-like and three-lobed. The capsule is obovate-elliptic, about 3 cm long, and dehisces dorsally along each chamber of the ovary while the seeds remain attached to the midrib (locular dehiscation). The seeds are spherical, about 5 mm in diameter, black and glossy, and are called "nubutama." It is distributed in Honshu (west of the Kanto region), Shikoku, Kyushu, the Ryukyu Islands, the Korean Peninsula, China, Southeast Asia, and India. It grows in mountain grasslands. It is also cultivated. It is declining significantly due to vegetation succession.

No.0508.a Iris danfordiae

The Japanese name is a provisional name given by the author. It is a perennial herb, a dwarf bulbous plant, growing to a height of 10-15 cm. It produces bright yellow flowers in early March and April. The flowers have a sweet fragrance. The leaves are long and narrow, growing after flowering, but wither and go dormant at the end of spring. It is native to the Taurus Mountains in southern Turkey. It grows in coniferous forests, forest edges, and sunny slopes with many exposed, dry rocks near the snowline. It is sometimes cultivated in Japan.

No. 0509 Sisyrinchium rosulatum

This is an annual or perennial herb. The stems and leaves grow in clumps. The leaves are linear, 4-8 cm long and 2-4 mm wide, with minute serrations along the edges. The flower stalk is about 15 cm tall, flattened, and has very narrow wings. It flowers from April to June. The flowers are about 1 cm in diameter, pale purple or white. The perianth segments are obovate-elliptic, fused at the base and yellowish. The stamens are less than 2.5 mm long, fused in the lower half, vase-shaped, and densely covered with yellow glandular hairs. The capsule is spherical, about 3 mm in diameter. The seeds are small, dark brown, and numerous. This is a naturalized plant native to North America, introduced to Japan during the Meiji era, and has naturalized in various regions from Hokkaido to the Ryukyu Islands. It grows in sunny roadsides and lawns. Sekka-niwazekisho is a variety of Niwazekisho with pure white flowers.

No.0509.a Sisyrinchium iridifolium

An annual plant. The flower stalk is about 25 cm tall and has narrow wings. The leaves are 4-8 mm wide. It blooms from April to June. The flowers are pale bluish-purple and less than 1 cm in diameter. The capsule is about 5 mm in diameter. The seeds are dark brown and bumpy. It is a naturalized plant believed to be native to North America.

No. 0510 Crocus sativus

In 'Ylist', it is called saffron. Originally cultivated to obtain saffron for medicinal, dye, or fragrance purposes, it also came to be used for ornamental purposes, and the flower itself came to be called saffron. No wild populations have been found, and it is thought to have been selected from Crocus cartwrightianus, a wild crocus that grew around Athens (and Crete) during the Bronze Age, around 3200-3000 BC. While the latter species has a style branch shorter than the anthers, this species has larger flowers, and the style protrudes longer than the anthers and hangs downwards. It has many leaves, more than 10, which elongate during flowering and grow significantly after flowering. The flowers are large, fragrant, and pale purple. They bloom in early November. The filaments are white, and the anthers are yellow. The style is three-lobed and bright red, and saffron is obtained from this part. Saffron originally referred to the dried stylus of the saffron flower, but later the flower itself came to be called saffron. It was very expensive, requiring as many as 4,300 flowers to obtain one ounce (about 30g) of dried stylus, and was an important commodity used for multiple purposes, including medicine, fragrance, spice, and dye. One theory suggests that its etymology comes from the Arabic word "zafaran," meaning yellow, and it has been used since ancient times to dye clothing and to color and flavor food. It was used in a wide area from the Mediterranean in the west to Kashmir in the east, and in Japan, famous dishes such as paella, bouillabaisse, Milanese risotto, and saffron rice all owe their yellow color to saffron. However, nowadays, turmeric, a cheaper substitute, is often used. The yellow color of curry is also said to have originally come from saffron. It was considered a medicine effective against rheumatism, gout, and smallpox, and later it was also used to prevent seasickness and as a charm for safe childbirth. Due to abnormalities in meiosis, the plants do not reproduce sexually individually, and instead propagate vegetatively through methods of selective breeding, such as dividing and planting rhizomes.

No.0511.a Crocus chrysanthus (Japanese saffron)

Chrysanthus 'Hanasaffron' is the author's provisional name. It is a yellow variety of what is called a crocus in horticulture. It is native to Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, former Yugoslavia, Romania, and Turkey. The thin skin of the corm is membranous or leathery. It blooms in February and March, and the flowers are a vivid orange-yellow. The original white-flowered species is var. albidus. The flowers bloom upwards and are cup-shaped. The flowers are smaller, the corms are smaller, and the leaves are generally narrower than those of the Crocus vernus lineage.

No. 0513 Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora

A perennial herb. Also known as Montbretia. It grows to a height of 0.5 to 1 m, with basal leaves 5 to 35 mm wide. The leaves have a central vein. It flowers from June to August, with many orange-red flowers, about 3 cm in diameter, arranged in two rows in a spike-like inflorescence. The six perianth segments are narrowly elliptical, with flattened tips, and the inner center is yellow with two orange-red spots. The bases of the perianth segments are fused to form a tube, and the ovary is embraced by two bracts. It is a horticultural plant that was cultivated in Europe in 1880 as a hybrid of Crocosmia aurea and Crocosmia pottsii. It was introduced to Japan in the mid-Meiji period (around 1890). It has naturalized throughout Japan.

What are the differences between Crocosmia gracilis, Crocosmia gracilis, and Crocosmia japonica? An explanation of how to distinguish between similar species.

Both *Crocosmia crocosmia* (also known as *Trocosmia crocosmia*) and *Montbretia* (also known as *Trocosmia crocosmia*) are perennial plants native to Africa, belonging to the genus *Trocosmia* in the Iridaceae family. They are commonly cultivated as ornamental plants, share the common characteristics of having underground bulbs and producing red flowers, and are often confused…

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No.0515 Gladiolus x gandavensis

A perennial plant. Through numerous crosses, mutations, and selections, it is a type of summer-blooming gladiolus with a wide variety of cultivars cultivated today. The flowers come in a rich array of colors, with a wide range of variations in hue and shape, and in size from tiny flowers less than 6.4 cm in diameter to giant flowers over 14 cm. It is robust and grows vigorously, blooming profusely with many flowers flowering simultaneously. It is widely cultivated as a spring-planted bulb for cut flowers and flowerbeds, and there are a great many horticultural varieties. The group of tall, large-flowered horticultural varieties is collectively called the Grandiflora group, while the group of short, small-flowered horticultural varieties is called the Pixiola group.

No.0515.a Gladiolus x colvillii

This is a perennial plant. While the name Gladiolus is often used as a general term for horticultural populations, the Ylist uses it as the Japanese name for Gladiolus x colvillii, so we will follow that here. It was propagated from the South African species G. tristis and G. cardinalis by James Colville, a nurseryman in Chelsea, London, and first described in 1823. The wild species has deep pink flowers with cream-colored stripes on the three lower petals. In 1826, G. colvilii 'Alba', which has white flowers with pale pink anthers, was put up for sale, and in 1871, G. colvilii 'The Bride', which has completely white flowers, was put up for sale. The author has not yet checked the literature regarding the botanical distinction between this and G. x gandavensis, but it is thought that the white-flowered horticultural population is the one in question (further verification is needed).

No. 0516 Blue-green narcissus (Freesia x hybrida)

Commonly known as freesia, it is a perennial plant. It is believed that 3-4 species were the ancestors from which it was improved, but it mainly originates from F. refracta and F. armstrongii. Horticulturally, before the war, F. refracta var. alba and buttercup were widely cultivated, but after the war, new horticultural varieties introduced from America and varieties created by Mr. Asanuma of Hachijo Island also became widely cultivated. Furthermore, in recent years, large-flowered varieties have been introduced from the Netherlands in succession, replacing the previous horticultural varieties. It is usually a spherical plant with 6 nodes, and the corm is covered with a fibrous outer layer at each node. When dormancy is broken, the bud at the top elongates and flowers bloom. The flowers are funnel-shaped, 1.5-5 cm long, and white or yellow, but many horticultural varieties are richly colored, such as red and purple. A raceme is formed at the top of a long, arching flower stalk, and usually bears 6-10 small flowers. The flower has six perianth segments and three stamens, and the style is divided into three short branches, each branch further splitting at the tip. The ovary has two chambers, but usually produces very few fruits. Native to the Cape region of southern South Africa, it blooms in winter (July-August) when temperatures are relatively low (8-10°C), but in Japan, it is appreciated as a fragrant and elegant early spring flower, grown as a cut flower or in a pot.

References

Kanagawa Prefecture Flora Survey Association. 2018. Kanagawa Prefecture Flora 2018 (Electronic Edition). Kanagawa Prefecture Flora Survey Association, Odawara. 1803pp. ISBN: 9784991053726

Tsukamoto, Yotaro. 1994. Encyclopedia of Horticultural Plants, Compact Edition. Shogakukan, Tokyo. 3710pp. ISBN: 9784093051118

Daffodils are a very popular ornamental plant in Japan, blooming in winter. However, a little research reveals that they are sometimes referred to as "Nihon-zuisen" (Japanese daffodil) and sometimes simply as "suisen" (daffodil). Is there a difference between Nihon-zuisen and suisen? Nihon-zuisen refers to a specific species native to China, but when simply referred to as suisen, it could be another name for Nihon-zuisen, or it could be a general term for various other species. Let's understand this difference properly. Nihon-zuisen is native to the Mediterranean coast, and after being cultivated and improved in China, it was introduced to Japan, so it is not native to Japan. Therefore, surprisingly, historical records only mention it from the Muromachi period onward, and it seems that its popularity came later. It is poisonous and can cause food poisoning if mistaken for chives or wild onions, but daffodils can be distinguished by their odorless leaves, shallow depression in the center, and the presence of a bulb. But why do Nihon-zuisen bloom in winter? Research in Israel, where the wild species *Daffodil serrata* exists, has shown instances of winter blooming to attract hummingbird hawk-moths that overwinter there. Therefore, it is highly likely that winter blooming is a remnant of its time living along the Mediterranean coast. This article will explain the classification, history, toxicity, and pollination ecology of *Daffodil serrata*.

What is the difference between Japanese daffodils and regular daffodils?

A little research reveals that daffodils are sometimes called "Nihon-suisen" (Japanese daffodil) and sometimes simply "suisen" (daffodil). Are there any biological differences between these two?

Narcissus tazzetta ver. chinensis refers to a variety of Narcissus tazzetta, a member of the Amaryllidaceae family, that has begun to propagate vegetatively in China. The cluster daffodil (Narcissus tazzetta) is native to the Mediterranean coast of southern Europe.

[Seed Plant Encyclopedia #086] What are the species of the Amaryllidaceae family? Photo list

The Amaryllidaceae family typically consists of perennial herbs with bulbs and basal leaves. The flowers are bisexual and radially or bilaterally symmetrical. They are borne in terminal umbels or singly on the flower stalk, with an involucre at the base of the inflorescence. They have three outer perianth segments and three inner perianth segments, and some also have a corona...

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Both the cluster daffodil and the Japanese daffodil have short, yellow coronas (the cup-shaped part of the flower), and white sepals and petals. While the Japanese daffodil has 4 to 8 flowers on a single stem, the cluster daffodil has a slightly larger number of flowers, 5 to 15, blooming in clusters.

The Japanese narcissus originated from the cluster narcissus, which traveled from the Mediterranean to China (before the Sui and Tang dynasties) via the Silk Road and was then selectively bred. In Japan, although the exact time is unknown, it is believed to have arrived or drifted ashore in ancient times (Fukui Prefecture Tourism and Sales Department, Cultural Promotion Division, 2019). It has been cultivated for ornamental purposes since ancient times, and is now found growing wild along the coasts from Kanto westward to Kyushu (Hayashi et al., 2013).

In short, the Japanese daffodil is native to China! It's a very confusing name. It's probably a name given at a time when it had become naturalized and its exact origin was unknown, but let's make sure we understand it correctly now.

On the other hand, the term "narcissus" does not refer to a single biological species. In this case, two meanings are possible.

First, it can refer to another name for the Japanese daffodil. Sometimes the Japanese daffodil is simply called "daffodil."

The second meaning may refer to the entire genus *Narcissus*. In some cases, the term "narcissus" may include species other than *Narcissus japonica*.

Other notable species include Narcissus pseudonarcissus, a trumpet daffodil with a prominently protruding corona and yellow petals in its wild form, and Narcissus cyclamineus 'Tete a tete' (miniature daffodil), which is small in both its overall appearance and flowers, and also has yellow petals, making it particularly well-known in Japan.

Narcissus poeticus (red-corolla narcissus), Narcissus bulbocodium (petticoat narcissus with skirt-like petals), Narcissus jonquilla (large yellow-petaled narcissus), and Narcissus verna (a hybrid of Narcissus verna and Narcissus trumpet narcissus with large, trumpet-like petals and a short corona). Narcissus x odorus is also known.

In addition, there are varieties whose original species are unknown.

Furthermore, although they belong to completely different groups, the following also bear the name "narcissus": Cyrtanthus mackenii subsp. mackenii (Amaryllidaceae, Cyrtanthus genus), Alstroemeria pulchella (Alstroemeria, Alstroemeriaceae), Freesia x hybrida (Freesia, Iridaceae), and Hyacinthoides hispanica (Scilla, Asparagaceae). Their flower shapes are not similar at all, so be careful not to confuse them.

[Seed Plant Encyclopedia #068] What are the species of the Liliaceae family? Photo list

The Alstroemeriaceae family is mostly perennial. It is distributed in Central and South America. Many species have tubers or rhizomes, and many Alstroemeria species have beautiful flowers, leading to extensive cultivation as ornamental plants. The flowers consist of three inner perianth segments and three outer perianth segments (sometimes fused, sometimes not)...

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[Seed Plant Encyclopedia #083] What are the species of the Iridaceae family? Photo list

The Iridaceae family consists of annual or perennial herbs. They have rhizomes, corms, or bulbs underground. The leaves are sword-shaped, flattened, alternate, and strabiate. The flowers are bisexual and radially or bilaterally symmetrical. There are three inner and three outer perianth segments, either identical in shape or with larger outer segments, fused at the base...

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[Seed Plant Encyclopedia #087] What are the species of the Asparagaceae family? Photo list

The Asparagaceae family, also known as the Asparagaceae family, consists of perennial herbs, woody plants, or vines. They have rhizomes or bulbs. Leaves are alternate, opposite, or whorled, and may be clustered at the base of the stem. The terminal branches may also be leaf-like (Asparagus genus, Ruscus aculeatus...).

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What is the history of the Japanese daffodil? Its popularity in Japan only began after the Muromachi period, which is surprisingly late.

Although its Japanese name includes "Japan," as mentioned above, the Japanese daffodil is native to China. When did it become known in Japan?

Although the exact period is unclear, the records of narcissus in Japan are surprisingly recent, with its first appearance believed to be in the "Shogakushu," a Japanese dictionary compiled during the Muromachi period.

On the other hand, it appears to have been depicted in paintings during the Heian period. From the Muromachi period onward, it was used as a tea ceremony flower and cut flower, and in the Edo period, detailed descriptions of its cultivation methods were found. It has been used as a cut flower and horticultural plant ever since. There seems to have been a slight delay between its introduction to Japan and its subsequent rise in popularity.

Is it poisonous and a frequent subject of food poisoning news? How can you distinguish it from chives?

Although daffodils are now very popular as ornamental plants, they belong to the Amaryllidaceae family and contain the common Amaryllidaceae alkaloids (lycorine, galantamine, and tazetine). Lycorine is heat-resistant, so even after heating, it can cause symptoms of food poisoning such as vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, headache, and coma.

Because its leaves resemble those of chives and wild onions, and its bulb resembles that of an onion, food poisoning due to mistaken consumption occurs occasionally and is often reported in the news. Chives and wild onions often grow as wild plants, so extreme caution is necessary. As of a 2014 paper, cases have been reported every year since 2002, with up to six cases reported in a single year (Toda et al., 2014).

The Nagano City Public Health Center states that daffodils and chives can be distinguished by the following: (1) Daffodil leaves have no odor, but chives have a distinctive strong smell; (2) Daffodil leaves have a shallow depression in the center, while chives are flat and somewhat thick; and (3) Daffodils have bulbs, but chives do not.

What are the differences between Ipheion uniflorum, Ipheion leek, and Ipheion japonica? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! Are they edible?

All three species—Ipheion uniflorum, Allium sibiricum, and Allium sibiricum—belong to the Amaryllidaceae family, Allioideae subfamily, and share the name "nira" (leek). They are common perennial plants found in fields and urban areas. However, their confusing names can make it difficult for those unfamiliar with these three species to distinguish between them...

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Such a beautiful and eye-catching flower, yet it was useless to the plant itself?

The Japanese daffodil blooms from December to April (Hayashi et al., 2013), and its flowers are creamy white (Fukui Prefecture Tourism and Sales Department, Cultural Promotion Division, 2019). It consists of three outer perianth segments (sepals) and three inner perianth segments (petals), which are joined at the base. Furthermore, a structure unique to daffodils is a yellow, cup-shaped part, which is called the corona. The stamens and pistil are housed inside this.

While they are usually single-flowered, double-flowered varieties are also known, and these are called Yaezuisen Narcissus tazetta 'Plenus'.

They are very conspicuous, and considering the flower's primary role of pollination, one might assume they attract many insects to produce seeds. However, unfortunately, the Japanese population only reproduces through bulb division.

This is a bit complicated, but the chromosomes are triploid. In triploid organisms, there are three sets of chromosomes. When creating cells that produce offspring, the two sets of chromosomes that normally exist should be divided into one set each, but this doesn't happen in triploid organisms, so they cannot reproduce through seeds.

In other words, flowers are entirely for human enjoyment and serve no purpose whatsoever in terms of producing seeds.

Of course, since it has been spread all over the world by humans for the purpose of ornamental purposes, it can be said that the Japanese daffodil is a species that has been very successful in reproducing without producing seeds.

There's some interesting research going on about the original species of daffodil! Could it even explain why they bloom in winter?

However, there is a great mystery surrounding the Japanese daffodil. Why does it bloom in winter? Of course, it could be the result of selective breeding, but we know that this is not the case.

This is because the wild species of the Japanese daffodil, the cluster daffodil, which properly reproduces through pollination and seed propagation, sometimes blooms in winter.

In Israel, an interesting study has been conducted on the relationship between the flowering period and habitat of the daffodil (Arroyo & Dafni, 1995).

There are two populations of the daffodil species: one that grows in wetlands and another that grows on hillsides.

This study revealed that the insects that visit the flowers of the daffodil (Narcissus spp.) that contribute to pollination differ depending on the habitat. In wetlands, hawk moths were the main pollinators, while in hilly areas, solitary bees and hoverflies were the primary visitors.

Consequently, we also found that the shape of the flowers in the wetland population and the hillside population were slightly different.

In wetland populations, flowers with shorter pistils were more common. The hummingbird hawk-moth has a very long proboscis specialized for sucking nectar, so it often inserts its body deep into flowers to obtain nectar. Therefore, it is thought that flowers with shorter pistils have become more common so that the hummingbird hawk-moth can pollinate them from deep inside the flower.

On the other hand, the populations in the hills had more flowers with longer pistils. Solitary bees and hoverflies have short mouths and are specialized in feeding on pollen from the surface of flowers, so they do not insert their bodies deep into the flower to collect pollen, remaining on the surface. Therefore, it is thought that the hill populations had more flowers with longer pistils to prevent these insects from stealing the pollen without touching the pistil.

Furthermore, it was discovered that the flowering period differs depending on the activity period of the insects that visit the flowers.

In wetland populations, the flowers bloomed in January and February. This is thought to be an adaptation to the overwintering hummingbird hawk-moth.

In hilly areas, the flowers bloom in October and November. This is thought to be an adaptation to solitary bees and hoverflies that are active in the autumn.

Thus, the daffodil (Narcissus sibiricus) changed the shape of its flowers and its flowering period to suit its habitat.

It is thought that the Japanese daffodil began blooming in winter in Japan when it was first cultivated and its behavior was stabilized. However, it is possible that its original behavior was an adaptation to winter insects such as hummingbird hawk-moths, which were found in its native habitat, such as Israel.

Japanese daffodils are known as one of the few flowers that brighten up winter, but when you consider the circumstances surrounding their origins, don't you feel a sense of the long history and causal connection between the Mediterranean and Japan?

Are flowers really useless?

As mentioned above, Japanese daffodils do not require insects. Moreover, since they bloom in the middle of winter, it seems as though there are no insects at all that would come to them.

However, there are many instances on the internet showing the hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus visiting, and I have also confirmed this myself. Among hoverflies, there are known species, like Episyrphus balteatus, that are active even in the middle of winter.

There are currently no reports of any individuals other than the triploid species that reproduce by seed being present in Japan, but considering the instances of them becoming wild on coastlines, it's a bit puzzling whether they can reproduce to that extent solely through parthenogenesis. My personal opinion is that since insects are also seen in this area, I'm interested in the possibility that insects might be involved.

References

Arroyo, J., & Dafni, A. 1995. Variations in habitat, season, flower traits and pollinators in dimorphic Narcissus tazetta L.(Amaryllidaceae) in Israel. New Phytologist 129(1): 135-145. ISSN: 0028-646X, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8137.1995.tb03017.x

Fukui Prefectural Government, Tourism and Sales Department, Cultural Promotion Division. 2019. Daffodil Fields of the Echizen Coast: Cultural Landscape Preservation Survey Report. Fukui Prefectural Government, Tourism and Sales Department, Cultural Promotion Division, Fukui. 258pp. https://www.pref.fukui.lg.jp/doc/bunshin/cultural-landscupes_d/fil/honpen.pdf

Hayashi, Yasaka, Kadota, Yuichi, and Hirano, Takahisa. 2013. Yamakei Handy Illustrated Guide 1: Wildflowers (Revised and Expanded New Edition). Yama-kei Publishers, Tokyo. 664pp. ISBN: 9784635070195

Toda, M., Unoyama, C., & Kasuga, F. 2014. Trends in food poisoning cases caused by higher plants in Japan over the past 50 years. Journal of Food Hygiene 55(1): 55-63. https://doi.org/10.3358/shokueishi.55.55

Zephyranthes candida and false saffron are widely cultivated in gardens for ornamental purposes, but there may be confusion regarding their Japanese names. The biggest difference is that the inside of the perianth lobes of Zephyranthes candida are white, while those of false saffron are bright pink. False saffron may seem similar to saffron, as its name "false saffron" suggests, but the flower color of saffron is completely different. This name originates from the Edo period, when it was imported and mistaken for saffron due to the scarcity of botanical records. While most flowers in the Zephyranthes genus are self-pollinating, false saffron is known to attract many beetles in Mexico. The fruit is a capsule and is likely dispersed by gravity. This article will explain the classification, origin of the names, and pollination ecology of Zephyranthes candida and false saffron.

Two species of the Zephyranthes genus, native to Central and South America, are popular as ornamental plants.

Zephyranthes candida, also known as rain lily, is a cold-hardy evergreen perennial plant native to the La Plata River basin in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, as well as Chile and Peru. It was introduced to Japan in 1871-72 as an ornamental plant, and some have become naturalized (Tsukamoto, 1994).

Zephyranthes carinata, also known as false saffron, is native to Mexico and Guatemala, but has spread from the southern United States to Costa Rica, the Antilles, and South America (Fernández-Alonso & Groenendijk, 2018). In Japan, it is widely cultivated and some varieties have become naturalized.

Both belong to the genus Zephyranthes in the family Amaryllidaceae, and a common characteristic is that their bulbs contain toxins such as lycorine (Tsukamoto, 1994; Mutsuga et al., 2001).

What is the difference between Zephyranthes candida and false saffron?

Although both have similar shapes, the clear difference between the two species is that the inside of the perianth lobes is white in Zephyranthes candida, while in false saffron it is bright pink. Also, the stamens of false saffron are slightly longer.

Zephyranthes candida blooms from July to September, bearing flowers 4-5 cm in diameter on 20-30 cm tall stalks that face upwards. The perianth lobes are 6-lobed, white on the inside and pale pink at the base of the outer surface.

False saffron flowers bloom from June to October, producing relatively large flowers about 6 cm in diameter, which also face upwards. The perianth lobes are 6-lobed and, unlike those of Zephyranthes candida, are a vivid pink color (Tsukamoto, 1994).

They belong to the same genus, Zephyranthes, in the Amaryllidaceae family, but if they are in bloom, you would hardly mistake them for each other.

However, there are several closely related species. The following article provides more information about closely related members of the genus Zephyranthes.

[Seed Plant Encyclopedia #086] What are the species of the Amaryllidaceae family? Photo list

The Amaryllidaceae family typically consists of perennial herbs with bulbs and basal leaves. The flowers are bisexual and radially or bilaterally symmetrical. They are borne in terminal umbels or singly on the flower stalk, with an involucre at the base of the inflorescence. They have three outer perianth segments and three inner perianth segments, and some also have a corona...

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What is the difference between saffron and false saffron?

The Japanese name for false saffron is "saffron-like," which is a Japanese name for something resembling saffron. Why is that?

This stems from the fact that it was long mistaken for saffron in Japan. The first sighting of false saffron in Japan is believed to have been in 1845 during the Edo period, when Noda Seika, a plant expert specializing in the identification of introduced plants, cultivated bulbs that had been mixed in with pineapple cultivation soil. At that time, false saffron was mistakenly identified as the same species as saffron, and it wasn't until the Meiji era that it became clear that they were different species (Isono, 2007).

Actual saffron belongs to the iris family and is a completely different classification. Furthermore, its flowers are pale purple with red pistils. However, the overall shape and the fact that its anthers are yellow are somewhat similar, and it's possible that during the period of national isolation, it was difficult to properly distinguish between them with limited information (see the article below for more information on saffron).

On the other hand, the name Tamasudare is said to come from the fact that its small white flowers resemble "jewels" and the way its leaves are clustered together resembles a "bamboo blind."

[Seed Plant Encyclopedia #083] What are the species of the Iridaceae family? Photo list

The Iridaceae family consists of annual or perennial herbs. They have rhizomes, corms, or bulbs underground. The leaves are sword-shaped, flattened, alternate, and strabiate. The flowers are bisexual and radially or bilaterally symmetrical. There are three inner and three outer perianth segments, either identical in shape or with larger outer segments, fused at the base...

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Are nearly 90% of the beetles that visit pink flowers?

It is believed that 80% of the Zephyranthes genus, to which Zephyranthes candida and Zephyranthes saffron belong, produces seeds through self-pollination.

However, attracting insects to obtain pollen from other individuals is also important in order to eliminate genetic bias. Therefore, research is being conducted to determine which insects visit false saffron.

According to research from Mexico, the plant's native habitat, 86% of the insects that visit it are beetles called Soldier Beetles, while 12% is visited by bees (Argueta-Guzmán et al., 2013). This might be surprising, as its striking appearance might suggest that butterflies or other insects would be more likely to visit. While not yet fully studied, it's possible that the bees are attracted by the pollen.

Are the fruits capsules dispersed by gravity?

All species in the genus Zephyranthes have capsules as their fruit.

The capsules of Zephyranthes candida are subglobose, about 1.2 cm in diameter. When ripe, they split into three sections, releasing black seeds.

The capsule of the false saffron is subglobose. When mature, it splits into three sections. The seeds are black, with 3 to 5 black seeds in each chamber.

Although the exact methods of seed dispersal are not fully understood, it is believed that closely related species with nearly identical seed shapes are dispersed over short distances by gravity, wind, or animal feeding (Fernández-Alonso & Groenendijk, 2004).

References

Argueta-Guzmán, M. P, Barrales-Alcalá, D. A, Galicia-Pérez, A., Jordan, G., & Mandujano MC 2013. Sistema reproductivo y visitantes florales de Zephyranthes carinata Herb (Asparagales: Amaryllidaceae). 100-117. ISSN: 0526-717X, https://biblat.unam.mx/hevila/Cactaceasysuculentasmexicanas/2013/vol58/no4/1.pdf

Fernández-Alonso, JL, & Groenendijk, JP 2004. A new species of Zephyranthes Herb. sl (Amaryllidaceae Hippeastreae), with notes on the genus in Colombia. Revista de la Academia Colombiana de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales 28(107): 177-186. ISSN: 0370-3908, http://hdl.handle.net/10261/33396

Isono, Naohide. 2007. Chronological Table of Horticultural Plants Introduced to Japan Before the Meiji Era. Keio University Hiyoshi Journal, Natural Sciences 42: 27-58. ISSN: 0911-7237, https://koara.lib.keio.ac.jp/xoonips/modules/xoonips/detail.php?koara_id=AN10079809-20070930-0027

Mutsuga, M., Kojima, K., Nose, M., Inoue, M., & Ogihara, Y. 2001. Cytotoxic activities of alkaloids from Zephyranthes carinata. Natural Medicines 55(4): 201-204. ISSN: 1340-3443, https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/10759797

Tsukamoto, Yotaro. 1994. Encyclopedia of Horticultural Plants, Compact Edition. Shogakukan, Tokyo. 3710pp. ISBN: 9784093051118

Source

This article is a significantly expanded version of a piece originally published in the following book.