Melasphaerula
(from melas, black, and sphaerula, a diminutive of sphaira, a ball; referring to the small blackish bulbs). SYNS. Aglaea, Diasia. ORD. Irideae. A monotypic genus, the species being a very pretty, greenhouse, bulbous plant, with an elegant and graceful habit, and producing a profusion of flowers, which remain in perfection for a considerable period. For culture, see Ixia.
M. graminea (grass-like). fl. whitish, with a purplish stripe, disposed in large flexuous-branched panicles. April. l. grass-like, light green. South Africa, 1880. (B. M. 615; L. B. C. 1444, under name of M. parviflora; A. B. R. 62, under name of Gladiolus gramineus.) M. parviflora (small-flowered). A synonym of M. graminea.