Geosiris aphylla is a species in the flowering plant family Iridaceae, first described in 1894. It is endemic to Madagascar.

Geosiris aphylla is sometimes called the earth-iris. It is a small myco-heterotroph lacking chlorophyll and obtaining its nutrients from fungi in the soil.

Geosiris aphylla

Description

Its rhizomes are slender and scaly, and stems are simple or branched. The leaves are alternate, but having no use, are reduced and scale-like (hence the epithet "aphylla," meaning "without leaves"). The flowers are light purple.

Geosiris aphylla

Range and habitat

Geosiris aphylla is native to central and eastern Madagascar. It lives in forest humus in humid lowland and montane forests, between 400 and 1200 meters elevation.

Geosiris aphylla

References

External links

Missouri Botanical Garden photo of Geosiris flowers

A different picture

Iridaceae

Parasitic plants

Endemic flora of Madagascar

Flora of the Madagascar lowland forests

Flora of the Madagascar subhumid forests

Plants described in 1894

Taxa named by Henri Ernest Baillon