Rigidella is a cormous genus in the Iridaceae family native to the mountainous area of southern Mexico and Guatemala. This genus was described in 1840 and revised in 1971. All four species have bright red flowers and secrete sugary nectar and are pollinated by hummingbirds. In their 2008 book, The Iris Family: Natural History and Classification, Peter Goldblatt and John Manning are now including this genus in Tigridia. This is based on conclusive genetic research. These four species differ from other species in Tigridia only in having minute outer segments. Goldblatt and Manning viewed this as merely an adaptation for hummingbird pollination. These plants are summer growing and dormant in winter.
Seeds are said to germinate readily when sown in spring (Peter Maynard).
Rigidella flammea syn. Tigridia flammea is native to the pine woods of Mexico where it grows at 3000 meters. It has bright scarlet outer segments and pendulous flowers.
Rigidella immaculata syn. Tigridia immaculata from high altitude forest areas of Guatemala and southern Mexico also has bright scarlet flowers.
Rigidella inusitata syn. Tigridia inusitata is from moist, rocky areas in the cloud forests, Mexico. The orange-red flowers have reflexed outer segments.
Rigidella orthantha syn. Tigridia orthantha is a cloud forest plant from Guatemala and Mexico. The first photograph is from Rob Hamilton. The plants photographed in June 2007 by Mary Sue Ittner in the next three pictures below were growing in the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens.
