Greek chasme – gaping, anthos – flower, as the perianth gapes like an open mouth.

Large perennial herbs, dormant in summer. Corms flattened; tunics fibrous. Leaves basal, swordshaped, with midvein. Stem erect, few-branched. Flowers sessile, 2-lipped, dorsal lobe far the longest. Perianth tube far exceeding spathe, abruptly widened with 1-3 pouches. Stamens arched dorsally, one longer than others. Seeds round, shiny, orange.

3 species in S Africa.

Clumps of large grass-green leaves; 2-lipped tubular flowers.

Offsets or seed.

de Vos (1985), Duncan (2001).

Source: Cooke, D. (2005). Iridaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.