Aphyllanthes monspeliensis Mediterranean Europe by the late John Gallagher

by the late John Gallagher of CT

Though it is standard practice to cut the foliage back before spring this is not an absolute necessity

and a soft buttery-yellow pouch with mahogany sepals thanks to the Cypripedium calceolus parent

spiny-edged foliage that clothes this architectural clump emerges solid bronze

Aphyllanthes monspeliensis Mediterranean Europe by the late John GallagherFew gardeners have ever run across the monotypic Aphyllanthes monspeliensis, unless you've spent time in the Mediterranean region south to Morocco. This solitary genus in the Asparagus family produces a small rock garden size plant that looks like Festuca glauca until it flowers, then it looks just like a sisyrinchium or other irid. The narrow wiry glaucous leaves form a tight clump, topped, starting for us in mid April with 1" medium blue flowers.