Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

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Chasmanthe bicolor (Gasp. ex Ten.) N. E. Br.

chasmanthe (Iridaceae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
Very localVery strong tendencySW
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Chasmanthe bicolor is a perennial herb native to South Africa's Cape Province but now found widely in the Isles of Scilly (VC1: West Cornwall & Scillies); its leaves and habitat are similar to those of Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora.

St. Mary’s (VC1: West Cornwall & Scillies); 2026-03-22

 chasmanthe / Chasmanthe bicolor: _Chasmanthe bicolor_ is a perennial herb native to South Africa’s Cape Province but now found widely in the Isles of Scilly (VC1); its leaves and habitat are similar to those of _Crocosmia _×_ crocosmiiflora_.

The flowers of Chasmanthe bicolor are distinctive, with the bright red upper corolla-lobe being twice as long as the yellowish lower lobe.

St. Mary’s (VC1: West Cornwall & Scillies); 2026-03-23

 chasmanthe / Chasmanthe bicolor: The flowers of _Chasmanthe bicolor_ are distinctive, with the bright red upper corolla-lobe being twice as long as the yellowish lower lobe.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne