Greek cyphella – the hollow of the ear, from the folded shape of the perianth segments.
Perennial herbs with bulb. Leaves few, basal, linear, narrowed at base, pleated. Spathes 1 flowered. Perianth segments free with long claws forming an open cup; inner smaller than outer, erect, folded back and bearing nectaries. Filaments free, thread-like; anthers closely pressed to style branches. Style branches 3, opposite and exceeding the stamens, erect, flat, with short 2 lobed crests.
20 species in S America and Mexico.
Seed or division.
Flattened Iris-like flowers, ribbed leaves.
Source: (2005). Iridaceae. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.
