Seasonal Wild Flowers

Latin name

Hesperantha coccinea

Other names

Schizostylis coccinea, River Lily, Kaffir Lily (no longer used)

Family

Iridaceae

Flowering season

September to November

English distribution

Itis thinly scattered throughout the country and is most

common in the far Southwest.

For a map see the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland –

Crimson Flag Lily

Habitat

It is a neophyte introduced into the UK from Southern

Africa.

It is widely grown in gardens and escapes into the wild

where it has become naturalised on waste ground and

roadside verges, particularly in west Cornwall.

Description

It is a semi-evergreen perennial growing up to 60cm.

The flowers are in a short spike.

They are up to 3.5cm and pink or pinkish-red.

The tepals form a narrow tube with 6 equal lobes.

There are 6 petals, 3 stamens and a single white style

with 3 long branches.

Leaves are narrow and up to 40cm.