Nivenia binata
Botanic Garden
Gardeners do not think of iris as being woody, but that’s exactly what bush iris Nivenia binata is. Originating from the Swartberg Mountains of South Africa, this sub-alpine plant grows well above the snowline and forms tufts of woody growth. In spring it is covered with sprays of intense blue flowers. The genus was first discovered by Carl Thunberg in 1771, one of Carl Linnaeus’ student ‘disciples’ who travelled and collected in Southern Africa for many years. This close cousin of the iris is slow to grow, shy to flower, and is seldom seen in cultivation.
- Photographer: Nicholas Wray
- Copyright: University of Bristol
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