Mexican shell flower
Quick Summary
The Mexican shell flower, also known as the tiger-flower (Tigridia pavonia), is a species of flowering plant native to Mexico and other parts of South America. It belongs to the iris family, Iridaceae.1
These perennial plants grow from bulbs or corms and are cultivated for their striking flowers. The blooms feature three larger lower floral parts and three smaller upper petals, often in vibrant colors like orange-red, with a distinctive spotted cup at their center. The plant has sparse, sword-like leaves and grows on stems up to two feet tall. Historically, the Aztecs valued the tiger-flower's corms for their chestnut-like flavor.1
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