Moraea aristata

[monkslodge]

I have waited two years for this Moraea to flower in our garden at the top of the south island of New Zealand.
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AijkhoxSsNjfhIFeu7LP2bcfplnz0A
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AijkhoxSsNjfhIFf57xR3iUWKxDMkw
I am calling it M. aristata. However I am aware that there is a white form of M. villosa. Is anyone able to confirm that this is indeed M. aristata? Thank you

[Diane Whitehead]

I've never seen a photo with speckled petal bottoms before.

Did you start from a seed or a corm?

[CG100]

Mention is made in a couple of places, including Iridaceae of S. Africa, of the underside of the petals sometimes being violet/purple, but I can find no detailed description or helpful photographs that add anything more helpful.

[MarkMazer]

Goldblatt in 'The Moreas of Southern Africa' writes that Aristata can be distinguished from Villosa by its glabrous leaf and stem.

[monkslodge]

I've never seen a photo with speckled petal bottoms before.

Did you start from a seed or a corm?

Diane -  These were bought on TradeMe (NZ eBay) as small corms in leaf (single blade). I do not know the expertise of the seller.

[monkslodge]

Goldblatt in 'The Moreas of Southern Africa' writes that Aristata can be distinguished from Villosa by its glabrous leaf and stem.

The leaves and stem of this plant appear to be identical to a purple M. villosa growing nearby - not glabrous in any way.