Orthrosanthus
(from orthros, morning, and anthos, a flower; the flowers expand early in the day). ORD. Irideae. A genus comprising seven species of greenhouse herbaceous perennials, natives of the Andes and extra-tropical regions of South America, or of Western Australia. Flowers often two to many to a spathe, very shortly stalked; perianth tube short, sometimes very short; lobes ovate or oblong, spreading; inflorescence terminal, simple or branched. Leaves linear or narrowly-ensiform, rigid or grass-like, equitant at base of stem; spathes oblong, sessile or pedunculate. Rhizomes woody, very short. The species mentioned below thrive in a cold conservatory, and in such a structure do best planted out. If, however, it is necessary to grow them in pots, use turfy loam and leaf mould, and insure sufficient drainage. Propagated by division of the tufted rootstocks.
O. chimboracensis (Chimborazo). fl. blue; in a lax, narrow panicle, which overtops the root leaves; limb funnel-shaped, 1/2in. deep. l. distichous, grass-like, 1ft. or more long, acute. h. 1ft. Peru, 1876. O. multiflorus (many-flowered). fl. of a beautiful sky-blue colour; perianth segments ovate-oblong, uniform; stamens much longer than the style. May to July. l. linear-ensiform, about equal to the scape; margins glabrous. h. 1ft. Australia, 1820. (B. R. 1090, under name of Sisyrinchium cyaneum.)