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Botanical Garden

Trimezia martinicensis - Yellow walking iris

Family Iridaceae

Description:

About five species of Trimezia are native to the Caribbean and South America. This plant has iris-like leaves with yellow flowers that stand on spikes just above the foliage. After flowering, the spike develops small plants. When the spike falls over to the ground, these small plants root into the ground and expand the clump.

Location:

See plants on the east side of building 39.

Size:

Herbaceous perennial with leaves to about eighteen to twenty-four inches tall.

Care Instructions:

Light: full sun to part shade

Water: drought tolerant

Soil: adaptable provided the soil is not wet

These plants were donated by Jacksonville plant collector, Joyce Jarrell, to test the species' cold hardiness. This plant is reported by one source as hardy in Zone 8. Experience shows that it is cold hardy at least to the mid-20's F.