Romulea bulbocodium
Encyclopedia
Romulea bulbocodium is one of the best-known species from the genus Romulea
. The plant, a member of the Iridaceae
family, is native to Europe
and mainly the Mediterranean region. It has many varieties and is occasionally used as ornamental plant.
The species has a small rootstock - a corm which can be found in sandy and rocky soils. It produces long and slender leaves. The plant looks much like the popular Crocus
. It is in convergent evolution
with it.
The blooms are small and with six tepals. Most varieties have purple or violet blooms, but white or yellow also occur.
The ovary is 3-locular and the seeds are brown, pellet-like, circular grains.
Romulea
Romulea is a genus of about 80 species of flowering plants in the iris family distributed in Europe, the Mediterranean, and South Africa. The genus name refers to the legendary Rome founder Romulus, and alludes to the abundance of one of the species in the Roman countryside.Some of the species:*...
. The plant, a member of the Iridaceae
Iridaceae
The Iris family or Iridaceae is a family of perennial, herbaceous and bulbous plants included in the monocot order Asparagales, taking its name from the genus Iris. Almost worldwide in distribution and one of the most important families in horticulture, it includes more than 2000 species...
family, is native to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and mainly the Mediterranean region. It has many varieties and is occasionally used as ornamental plant.
The species has a small rootstock - a corm which can be found in sandy and rocky soils. It produces long and slender leaves. The plant looks much like the popular Crocus
Crocus
Crocus is a genus in the iris family comprising about 80 species of perennials growing from corms. Many are cultivated for their flowers appearing in autumn, winter, or spring...
. It is in convergent evolution
Convergent evolution
Convergent evolution describes the acquisition of the same biological trait in unrelated lineages.The wing is a classic example of convergent evolution in action. Although their last common ancestor did not have wings, both birds and bats do, and are capable of powered flight. The wings are...
with it.
The blooms are small and with six tepals. Most varieties have purple or violet blooms, but white or yellow also occur.
The ovary is 3-locular and the seeds are brown, pellet-like, circular grains.