Orthrosanthus

Orthrosanthus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Iridaceae first described as a genus in 1827. It is native to Australia, Mexico, Central and South America.

The genus name is derived from the Greek words orthros, meaning "morning", and anthos, meaning "flower". They are known commonly as morning irises.

Description
These are rhizomatous perennial herbs. The linear to sword-shaped leaves are arranged in a layered fan. The flowers are usually blue, except in one white-flowered species. This genus is closely related to the genus Libertia. The flowers are very similar, but Libertia flowers are usually white.


 * Species
 * Orthrosanthus acorifolius (Kunth) Ravenna - Colombia, Venezuela
 * Orthrosanthus chimboracensis (Kunth) Baker - Chiapas, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, northwestern Brazil
 * Orthrosanthus exsertus (R.C.Foster) Ravenna - Mexico, Honduras
 * Orthrosanthus laxus (Endl.) Benth. - Western Australia
 * Orthrosanthus monadelphus Ravenna - southern Mexico, Central America
 * Orthrosanthus muelleri Benth. Benth. - Western Australia
 * Orthrosanthus multiflorus Sweet - Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria
 * Orthrosanthus occissapungus (Ruiz ex Klatt) Diels - Peru, Bolivia, northwestern Argentina
 * Orthrosanthus polystachyus Benth. - many-spike orthrosanthus - Western Australia