Moraea algoensis

This is a small but cute plant. This particular individual blooms in late winter (the end of January at my San Jose, California home), although other individuals reportedly bloom during the following two months. According to iNaturalist, the range of the species spreads from the summer-dry area of South Africa into areas that get at least some rain all year, which might account for its diversity of bloom time.

Perhaps in the future this species will help us breed Moraea hybrids that have a longer blooming period.

This one bloomed the first time at my house only recently, so I've just started hybridizing with it. Its pollen has fathered two pods as of this writing (late 2025), so it's at least partly compatible with the rest of subgenus Vieussieuxia. But I have no idea yet what its offspring will look like.

Meanwhile, the species itself is fun to look at. I love the intricacy of the markings in and around the eye, and the way the style crests and inner tepals stretch upward like grasping fingers.