8 
STREPTANTHERA CUPREA. 
(COPPER-COLOURED STREPTANTHERA . ) 
CLASS. ORDER. 
TRIANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. 
NATURAL ORDER. 
IRIDEJE. 
Generic Character — Spatha of 2 valves, membranaceous, somewhat cut, dry. Perianthemum like a 
corolla in 6 divisions ; tube very short ; limbs regularly wheeled. Stamina 3, inserted in the tube ; 
filaments erect ; anthers twisted round and including the style. Stigmata 3, dilated into 2 fringed 
lobes. Seeds round. 
Specific Character. — Leaves sword-shaped, acute, channelled and cut in the middle. Flower stem 
bearing from 2 to 4 flowers. Perianthii cut ovately obtuse ; keel having two spots upon the base. — 
Sweet , in Brit. Flower Garden. 
This is a very elegant species, introduced in 1825 by Mr. Synnot, from the 
Cape of Good Hope. The generic name is derived from streptos, twisted, anthera , 
anther, alluding to the twisted form of the anthers ; and the specific name is given 
in consequence of the copper colour of the flowers. All the Cape Irideae require one 
general mode of treatment : which, with a few exceptions, may be stated as follows : — 
1 . Pot the roots, or plant them in a border in front of a stove or green-house, 
or other sheltered place, during the month of October. Let the soil be composed 
of equal parts of leaf-mould, sandy loam, and peat, well mixed. 
2. If planted in pots, set them in a cold frame, and protect them from severe 
weather, till the pots are pretty well filled with roots ; then remove them to the 
green-house, or room where they are intended to flower. 
3. When potted they must be watered very sparingly, until they have produced 
leaves and begin to show their flower stems. And after flowering, when the leaves 
are dead, keep the roots perfectly dry in the pots. If planted in a border or frame, 
they must be completely preserved from rains, snow, or frost, particularly during 
their dormant state : in the former case a good thickness of litter will answer the 
purpose ; and in the latter, the frame may be covered with lights. 
4. The usual flowering season is April, May, and June, but some species flower 
somewhat earlier, others later. The plants at that time require to stand in light 
airy places, and should receive a good supply of water. 
5. It is not well to take up the bulbs in less than two or three years, at which 
times ail the offsets should be taken off ; but such as are in pots, must be invariably 
re-potted every October. 
No person who cultivates Cape bulbs should be without Streptanlhera cuprea 
and elegans ; Sparaocis lineata, grandiflora and tricolor ; Ixia Heleni, flejniosct , 
and viridijlora ; Trichonema rosea , and some others. 
