Freesia
Freesia, a genus of plants native to South Africa and widely cultivated elsewhere as winter-blooming plants. Freesias are grown from bulblike stems called corms, which are potted in late summer and kept in a cool greenhouse, where temperatures range from 50° to 70° F. (10° to 21° C.).
In three to four months the corms produce upright leaves, about one-half inch (13 mm) wide and up to 10 inches (25 cm) tall, and a weak stem that grows to 18 inches (45 cm) tall. The tips of both the stem and its branches bend at right angles, and each bears a few erect, funnel-shaped, fragrant flowers about two inches (5 cm) long. The flowers appear in white, yellow, pink, and lavender.
Freesias can also be grown as spring-blooming plants from corms set outdoors, three inches (7.6 cm) deep, in mid-winter.
Freesias belong to the Freesia genus of the iris family, Iridaceae. Varieties of three species are grown: F. refracta; F. armstrongi; and F. hybrida.