Tigridia
Tigridia pavonia
Tigridia pavonia, commonly known as the Tiger Flower or Shell Flower, is a striking ornamental flowering plant belonging to the iris family Iridaceae. The genus name Tigridia derives from the Latin word 'tigris' (tiger), referring to the vividly spotted, tiger-like patterns at the center of its blooms. The specific epithet 'pavonia' means 'peacock-like,' alluding to the flower's flamboyant, eye-catching appearance.
• One of the most visually dramatic summer-blooming bulbous plants in cultivation
• Individual flowers last only a single day, but successive buds ensure weeks of continuous bloom
• Each flower opens in the morning and wilts by evening, a trait shared with several other Iridaceae members
• The three large outer petals form a bold, open cup, while the three smaller inner petals are vividly spotted
• Flower colors span an extraordinary range: red, orange, yellow, pink, white, and bicolor combinations, often with contrasting central spots
Taxonomie
• Native range extends from Mexico through Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras
• Typically found at elevations between 1,000 and 2,500 meters in its native habitat
• Has been cultivated as an ornamental plant in Europe since the early 17th century, following Spanish colonial contact with the Americas
• The genus Tigridia comprises approximately 12 to 30 species (depending on taxonomic authority), with T. pavonia being the most widely cultivated
• In its native Mexico, it is sometimes called 'flor de un día' (flower of one day) or 'oceloxóchitl' in Nahuatl
Corm & Root System:
• Grows from a small, rounded corm approximately 2–4 cm in diameter
• Corm is covered with a dark brown, papery tunic
• Produces a fibrous root system from the base of the corm
Stems & Foliage:
• Erect, sword-shaped (ensiform) leaves arranged in a fan-like basal rosette
• Leaves are pleated (plicate), bright green, and typically 25–50 cm long
• Flowering scape (stem) reaches 30–60 cm in height, occasionally up to 70 cm
• Stems are slender, upright, and may branch to bear multiple flowers
Flowers:
• Flowers are 7–12 cm in diameter, borne in loose terminal inflorescences
• Composed of 3 large, broadly ovate outer tepals and 3 smaller, often reflexed inner tepals
• Inner tepals are characteristically spotted or blotched with contrasting colors (maroon, crimson, or dark purple on a lighter background)
• Stamens are fused into a prominent central column, typical of Iridaceae
• Flowers open in the morning and close by late afternoon; each bloom lasts approximately one day
Fruit & Seeds:
• Produces a 3-valved capsule containing numerous small, dark, disc-shaped seeds
• Naturally adapted to regions with a pronounced summer rainy season and winter dormancy period
• Grows in well-drained grasslands, open pine-oak woodlands, and rocky slopes
• Pollinated primarily by bees and other generalist insect pollinators attracted to the vividly colored, nectar-rich flowers
• The ephemeral nature of individual flowers (one-day bloom) is an adaptation to maximize pollinator visitation efficiency — fresh flowers open daily to attract pollinators
• Corms survive underground during the dry winter dormancy period, resprouting when warm, moist conditions return in spring
Light:
• Requires full sun to light shade for optimal flowering
• At least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day is recommended
Soil:
• Well-drained, fertile soil is essential; corms will rot in waterlogged conditions
• Sandy loam enriched with compost or well-rotted organic matter is ideal
• Soil pH: slightly acidic to neutral (6.0–7.0)
Watering:
• Water regularly during the active growing season (spring through summer)
• Reduce watering significantly during winter dormancy to prevent corm rot
• Good drainage is critical at all stages
Temperature:
• Thrives in warm conditions; optimal growing temperature range is 18–28°C
• In USDA zones 8–10, corms can overwinter in the ground with a protective mulch layer
• In colder climates (zones 3–7), corms must be lifted in autumn after foliage dies back and stored in a cool, dry, frost-free location (ideally 5–10°C) until spring replanting
Planting:
• Plant corms in spring after the last frost, at a depth of approximately 8–10 cm
• Space corms 10–15 cm apart
• Flowers typically appear 8–12 weeks after planting
Propagation:
• By division of corm offsets produced around the parent corm
• By seed, though seedlings may take 2–3 years to reach flowering size
Common Problems:
• Corm rot due to poor drainage or overwatering during dormancy
• Aphids and thrips may attack young growth
• Slugs and snails may damage emerging shoots in moist conditions
Wusstest du schon?
The Tiger Flower's one-day bloom cycle is one of the most fascinating phenomena in the ornamental plant world: • Each corm can produce a succession of flowers over 6–8 weeks, with a new bloom opening each morning • The Aztecs of pre-Columbian Mexico were familiar with Tigridia pavonia and may have cultivated it for ornamental and ceremonial purposes • The vivid central spots on the inner tepals are thought to serve as nectar guides, directing pollinators toward the flower's center — a strategy convergent with the 'eye spots' seen in many butterfly wings • Despite their brief individual lifespan, the flowers are so vividly colored and intricately patterned that they have been compared to stained glass windows • Tigridia pavonia has earned the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit (AGM), recognizing its outstanding ornamental value and reliable garden performance
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