S. I. Ali & Brian Mathew

Perennial herbs. Corms tunicate. Leaves 2-ranked, linear. Stems usually unbranched or occasionally with 1-2 inflorescence bearing branches. Inflorescence a spike, its axis bent sharply at an angle of c. 90( at the level of the lowest flower, the flowers borne on the upper side of the axis, fragrant. Bracts 2. Perianth gamophyllous, infundibuliform, usually curved, segments 6, ( unequal. Stamens 3, arising from below the throat. Ovary trilocular, axile placentation, style filiform, stigmas bifid. Fruit a 3-celled capsule.

A genus with 11 S. African species; represented in Pakistan by one species having a number of ornamental forms, commonly grown in the gardens.

Lower Taxon

• Freesia refracta (Jacq.) Klatt