Neomarica
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223965842
2008-07-06T19:01:06Z
Uncleeric
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[[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 223963421 by [[Special:Contributions/Uncleeric|Uncleeric]] ([[User talk:Uncleeric|talk]])
{{Taxobox
| name = ''Neomarica''
| image = Neomarica caerulea.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = ''Neomarica caerulea''
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Liliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Asparagales]]
| familia = [[Iridaceae]]
| genus = '''''Neomarica'''''
| genus_authority = [[Thomas Archibald Sprague|Sprague]]
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision = See text
}}
'''''Neomarica''''' ('''Walking Iris''' or '''Apostle Plant''') is a [[genus]] of 16 species of plants in family [[Iridaceae]], native to tropical regions of western [[Africa]], and [[Central America|Central]] and [[South America]], with the highest diversity (12 species) in [[Brazil]].
They are [[herbaceous]] [[perennial plant]]s that propagate by way of a thick [[rhizome]] and new plantlets that develop from the stem where flowers once emerged. The plants grow erect, and have long slender lanceolate leaves from 30-160 cm long and 1-4 cm broad, depending on the species. They produce very fragrant flowers that last for a short period of time, often only 18 hours.
The [[flower]]s emerge from what appears to be just another leaf, but is really a flower stalk structured to look like the other leaves; they are 5-10 cm diameter, and closely resemble ''[[Iris (plant)|Iris]]'' flowers.
After pollination, the new plantlet appears where the flower emerged and the stalk continues to grow longer. The weight of the growing plantlet causes the stalk to bend toward the ground, allowing the new plantlet to root away from its parent. This is how it obtained the common name of "Walking Iris". The other common name "Apostle Plant" comes from the belief that the plant will not flower until the individual has at least 12 leaves, the number of [[twelve apostles|apostles]] of [[Jesus]].
<br />
<br />
;Species
*''[[Neomarica caerulea]]''
<!-- Commented out because image was deleted: [[Image:Neomarica caerulea.JPG|thumb|right|''Neomarica caerulea'']] -->
*''[[Neomarica capitellata]]''
*''[[Neomarica caulosa]]''
*''[[Neomarica fluminensis]]''
*''[[Neomarica gracilis]]''
*''[[Neomarica imbricata]]''
*''[[Neomarica longifolia]]''
*''[[Neomarica nitida]]''
*''[[Neomarica northiana]]''
[[Image:Neomarica_northiana2.jpg|thumb|right|''Neomarica northiana'']]
*''[[Neomarica paradoxa]]''
*''[[Neomarica portosecurensis]]''
*''[[Neomarica rotundata]]''
*''[[Neomarica rupestris]]''
*''[[Neomarica sabini]]''
*''[[Neomarica silvestris]]''
*''[[Neomarica variegata]]''
===Cultivation and uses===
Some ''Neomarica'' species such as ''N. northiana'', ''N. longifolia'', and ''N. caerulea'' are common [[ornamental plant]]s that are easily cultivated both in [[garden]]s in subtropical and tropical regions, and as [[houseplant]]s in temperate areas.
== References ==
*[http://www.kew.org/wcsp/qsearch.do?plantName=Neomarica&page=quickSearch Kew Checklist: ''Neomarica'']
[[Category:Iridaceae]]
[[es:Neomarica]]
[[pt:Neomarica]]
[[to:ʻAposetolohina]]