Ixia
(from ixia, the Greek name used by Theophrastus for birdlime; referring to the clammy juice). SYN. Wurthia. Including Morphixia. ORD. Irideae. A genus containing about twenty-five species of pretty greenhouse (or hardy in sunny, sheltered, dry spots, in the extreme south of Britain) bulbous plants, all natives of South Africa. Flowers in simple or branched spikes; perianth tube long, slender; limb regular, salver-shaped. Leaves narrow, ensate. Stems slender, simple or slightly branched. Propagation is readily effected by seeds; or by offsets, which are freely produced. Seeds should be sown in pans of sandy soil, about September, and placed in a cool frame. The young plants may remain in the seed-pans for the first year, when they should be either potted singly or planted out. It takes from three to four years before they flower. By growing a number of varieties together, and saving their seed, numerous other sorts may be obtained, usually much varied in colour, and in the markings of the flower. Propagation by offsets is a much quicker method, as the plants then generally flower the second year. Offsets may be secured in quantity after the parent Ixias have ripened off, and they should be stored in a dry place, until starting time, the following autumn. Cultivation in Pots. Ixias, cultivated as pot plants, are very attractive, and admirably adapted for conservatory and cool greenhouse decoration, in early summer. The bulbs should be potted rather firmly, in sandy loam and leaf soil, during October, placing about six or eight in a 5in. pot, and covering them with 1in. of soil. The pots may then be plunged or stood on ashes in a cool frame, and but little water will be required throughout the winter. When the flower-spikes appear, more water may be given, and the plants fully exposed to light and plenty of air: draughts, however, must be avoided. After flowering, growth and a gradual ripening should be encouraged, by keeping the plants watered for a time. When the leaves die away, the bulbs may be shaken out and stored in bags until the autumn, or they may be allowed to remain in the soil and be kept dry.
Where the cultivation of Ixias is attempted outside, a well-drained, sunny, south border should be selected, and the bulbs planted about 6in. deep, in autumn. They should be lifted annually after being ripened, unless the locality is favourable enough to ensure their safety when left outside. Ixias do not require much heat, and, moreover, do not succeed well in a high temperature.
I. aulica (courtly). fl. rose-coloured, numerous; spathe almost equal to the tube. April. h. 2ft. 1774. SYN. Morphixia aulica. (B. M. 1013, under name of I. capillaris aulica.) I. candida (white). A synonym of I. leucantha.
I. capillaris (capillary).* fl. flesh-colour or lilac; spathe scarious, membranous, paper-like, having five rib-like streaks ending in as many teeth. April. h. 1 1/2ft. 1774. SYN. Morphixia capillaris. (B. M. 617.) I. columellaris (pillar-formed). fl. striped; filaments united at base. August. h. 6in. 1790. (B. M. 630.) I. flexuosa (bending-stalked). fl. pink; tube slender, a little enlarged; limb below bell-shaped, contracted. April and May. h. 2ft. 1757. (B. M. 624.) I. fucata (painted). fl. pink, salver-shaped; tube clavate, straight; spike one or two-flowered. June and July. l. grass-like. h. 1ft. 1779. (B. M. 1379.) I. hybrida (hybrid).* fl. white; raceme flexuose, many-flowered. April and May. l. slender. h. 1ft. 1757. (B. M. 127, under name of I. flexuosa.) I. leucantha (white-flowered). fl. white, one-sided; spathes toothed, shorter than the tube. May. l. linear-ensiform. h. 1 1/2ft. 1779. SYNS. I. candida, I. patens leucantha.
I. linearis (linear). fl. scentless; outer valve of spathe subtruncate, streaked with three brown veins ending in short teeth; segments of perianth striped with three longitudinal darker-coloured veins. April. SYN. Morphixia linearis. (B. M. 570, under name of I. capillaris gracillima.) I. maculata (spotted).* fl. orange-coloured; limb spreading, spotted at base; stigmas not divided lower than base of anthers. April and May. h. 1ft. 1757. (B. M. 539, under name of I. conica.) I. m. ochroleuca (yellowish-white). fl. cream-coloured, in spiked heads; tube shorter than segments. May and June. l. linear-ensiform. h. 2ft. 1780. (B. M. 539; A. B. R. 50, under name of l. capitata.) I. monadelpha (monadelphous). fl. blue; filaments united in a tube. April and May. h. 6in. 1792. (B. M. 607.) I. odorata (sweet0scented).* fl. yellow, very fragrant; corolla salver-shape; limb longer than the spathe; segments almost equal; spike many-flowered. May and June. h. 1ft. 1757. SYN. Morphixia odorata. (B. M. 1173, under name of I. erecta lutea.) I. patens (spreading-flowered).* fl. pink; tube filiform; limb bell-shaped, spreading; stigmas longer than the anthers. April. h. 1ft. 1779. (B. M. 522.) I. p. leucantha (white-flowered). A synonym of I. leucantha. I. polystachya (many-spiked). fl. variegated; limb spreading, not spotted; stigmas divided as low as the tube. May and June. h. 1 1/2ft. 1757. (A. B. R. 155.) There is a variety flavescens.
I. reflexa (reflexed). A synonym of Tritonia scillaris. I. speciosa (showy).* fl. dark red; limb hemispherical, campanulate; stigmas longer than the anthers. May and June. h. 6in. 1778. (B. M. 594, under name of l. crateroides.) I. viridiflora (greenish-flowered).* fl. green, spotted at base; scape many-spiked, many-flowered. May and June. l. linear-ensiform, edged. h. 1ft. 1780. (B. M. 549, under name of I. maculata viridis.) There are two varieties: cana (B. M. 789, under name of I. maculata amethystina) and coesia (A. B. R. 530, under name of I. maculata caesia).