Ethiopian Khazmanta

Family Iridaceae. It is a tetraploid with a chromosome number of 2n=32. The corm is large, rounded, with thin brown tunics.

Stem 100-120 cm, usually branched at the top. Basal leaves sword-shaped, 35-45 cm long and 2.5 cm wide, gathered in a rosette. Bracts greenish, 1.5 - 2 cm long. The perianth red-yellow, up to 5 cm long, with a slightly curved tube; the upper segment is weak and seems to continue the curve of the tube, the remaining five segments are half as long (1.7-2 cm) as the upper one - spreading. Stamens and the pistil reach the tip of the upper segment or protrude beyond it. Seeds inflated, without wings. Flowers in late summer.

Several varieties of this species have been distinguished:

var. minor Lindl. (A. bicolor Casp.) - dwarf plants with narrow leaves; the lower part of the flower yellow, the reflexed lobes red;

var. vittigera Baker (var. ringens Nichols.) - flowers widely open, bright yellow with red streaks;

var. immarginata Baker - flowers red with a dull yellowish tinge at the base.