Ixia Crocata

To the Cape of Good Hope, that never failing source of rare and beautiful plants, we are indebted for most of our Ixias, and among others for the present species, which though not of that value, nor possessing the delicacy or fragrance of the blossoms of some others, is a very desirable plant, not only as an object of curiosity, from the transparency of the base of the corolla, but as it adds much to the brilliancy of a collection, is easily obtained, and as easily propagated.It flowers in May and June, but its flowering may be prolonged by putting its bulbs into pots at different periods, or accelerated by artificial heat.It produces offsets more plentifully than many of the genus.Mr. Aiton informs us that it was cultivated by Mr. Miller in 1758, who figures it in his Icones.