Phalocallis Herb. is a genus of flowering plants in the Iridaceae family. It contains only one recognized species, Phalocallis coelestis, native to Paraná State in southern Brazil, and also in northeastern Argentina.
Phalocallis coelestis (Lehm.) Ravenna, syn. Cypella coelestis (Lehm.) Diels, syn. Cypella plumbea (Lindl.) Herb. has been grown under many different names. In coastal California it does very well in the ground as a landscape plant. When there is water in the winter, it does not go completely dormant. In spring, new leaves and buds will appear. Flowers appear throughout summer, but each flower lasts only a day. Height range: 2-3 ft. Photo 1 was taken by Bob Rutemoeller and photo 2 by Susan Hayek for Diana Chapman. Photo 3 was taken August 2003 by Lee Poulsen of his plant which he received named as Cypella plumbea platensis. Photo 4 was taken at the end of June 2005 by Merrill Jensen at the Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden, Palo Alto, California. Photos 5-6 were taken by Nhu Nguyen showing the bulbs. The bulb scales are richly colored burnt-orange and are much more delicate than they appear.
