Family: Iridaceae
Original habitat: South Africa

Flower color: Extremely varied but predominantly reds and oranges

Flowering period: June – August

Plant height: 12 inches

Planting depth: 2 inches

Planting distance: 3 – 4 inches

Type of bulb: true bulb

Planting period: Spring

Light requirements: They prefer sun

Applications: Borders, beds and pots. Also suitable for cutting.

Tritonias grow best in warm sunny locations where the soil does not freeze. In areas receiving frost, the bulbs must be mulched or lifted before cold weather sets in. Keep the soil from becoming overly wet; otherwise, the bulbs can easily start to rot.

Important species

• Tritonia bakeri. Its three leaves are long and narrow. The single (sometimes branched) flower stems grow to a height of about 10 inches and produce up to 20 flowers on each stem. The flowers are cream colored with dark brown stripes and purple stamens. In their native habitat, they flower from September to November.
• Tritonia crocata: This species, introduced in 1758, was found growing at an elevation of 4000 feet. The height of the plant ranges from 4 to 6 inches but can even reach 12 to 15 inches. The flower color is usually a yellow-orange.
• Tritonia disticah ssp rubrolucens. About 10 red flowers per stem.
• Tritonia hyalina
• Tritonia laxifolia
• Tritonia lineata
• Tritonia squalida
• Tritonia aurea
• Tritonia bracteata