Tristagma

Tristagma is a South American genus of the Alliaceae related to Brodiaea, Ipheion, Milla, Tritelia and Nothoscordum. The status and naming of this genus is in flux and members of all six genera are bounced around, united, separated, split and re-united in a manner designed to ensure the jobs of taxonomists for several generations to come. Traub (1963) favoured including Ipheion in Tristagma and though that became partially accepted, more recent research, suggest it is totally incorrect. This seems to pretty much sum up naming in Tristagma!

Tristagma have basal leaves which are flat and linear but rarely channelled or thread-like. There are around half a dozen species, more if you change your botanical viewpoint. The flowers are tubular with 6 petals and can be either solitary or borne in small clusters, often on short stems only. The gardener will probably be most interested in the Chilean and Argentinean species, most of which are miniature, alpine plants and which do well in cultivation treated as such. Flower colour is mostly in whites and creams, but there are yellow and greenish shades also and many are pleasantly fragrant.