| Hesperantha | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Hesperantha coccinea | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Iridaceae |
| Subfamily: | Crocoideae |
| Tribe: | Croceae |
| Genus: | Hesperantha Ker Gawl. |
| Type species | |
| Hesperantha falcata (L.f.) Ker Gawl. | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
| |
Hesperantha is a genus of cormous flowering plants in the family Iridaceae. The genus name is derived from the Greek words hesperos, meaning "evening", and anthos, meaning "flower". [2]
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There are approximately 79 species, mostly native to southern Africa, but with four species reaching tropical Africa. All except one grow from corms. [1] [ citation needed ]
The synonym Schizostylis is widely used in British horticulture for the single rhizomatous species S. coccinea , widely cultivated as a garden flower, and with numerous cultivars. [3] Common names include scarlet river lily, kaffir lily and crimson flag.
