Cypella

Similar in appearance to Moraea and Dietes, with colourful and attractively marked iris-like flowers, the three inner petals often much smaller. These hail from South America and their pleated, narrow leaves distinguish them from the African Iridaceae genera. Likely to be tender, but in coastal or city gardens, they might survive winters in a well-drained soil, in a sheltered position. Otherwise keep in pots, or moveable troughs.

These interesting flowers have all the appearance of being bee-pollinated, and indeed they are in their native habitats, but by oil-bees seeking floral oils instead of nectar, We do have some oil-bees in the UK (there is one that specializes on the flowers of Lysimachia), so keep an eye on your Cypella and let us know if our bees are able to rise to the occasion!