Ennealophus

Ennealophus is a small genus of South American Iridaceae comprising a handful of species, including Ennealophus euryandrus and E. foliosus, distributed through the Andes of Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Argentina. Placed in the tribe Tigridieae, it consists of perennial herbaceous plants growing from tunicated bulbs with papery brown to black coats. The name, from the Greek "ennea" (nine) and "lophus" (crest), refers to the style's structure. Leaves are narrow and pleated, and the short-lived flowers show the genus's characteristic bluish tones. It requires well-drained soil, a sunny position, and a dry dormancy outside the growing season.