Ornithoglossum Salisb.

Colchicaceae, Kim Hoenselaar. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 2005

Habit

Plants relatively small with a tunicated, bulb-like corm

Stem

Stem erect, leafy, of variable length, simple or branched, terminated by a bracteate, racemose inflorescence

Leaves

Leaves linear, erecto-patent, canaliculate, the base sheathing the stem Lowermost leaf a membranous, sheathing, tubular cataphyll, not protracted into a leaf-blade

Inflorescences

Inflorescence a raceme; bracts linear-lanceolate, simple, upwards successively smaller; pedicel patent, recurved apically

Flowers

Flowers often in dull shades and often two-colored, sometimes almost black; perianth segments free, persistent, patent or reflexed with a basal tubular or flattened claw; nectary a channel-, pouch-, or pocket-like structure in the claw or in the junction between claw and perianth segment

Stamens

Stamens distinct, inserted at the base of the perianth segments, filaments curved, filiform or swollen about or below the middle, anthers dorsifixed, versatile, linear-oblong, dehiscing extrorsely by longitudinal slits

Pistil

Ovary globose or ovoid-oblong, styles 3, free, filiform, curved or spreading, with a small capitate or oblong stigma

Fruits

Capsule pyriform-globose, loculicidal, coriaceous; seeds many, globose or subglobose, with a distinct raphe.