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Native Plant Society of Texas

Prairie Celestials

Nemastylis geminiflora

Other common name(s):

Celestials, Prairie Pleatleaf

Family:

Iridaceae (Iris Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Central Great Plains, Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Broken Red Plains, Limestone Plains
Carbonate Cross Timbers, Eastern Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie, Limestone Cut Plain, Western Cross Timbers
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, Northern Post Oak Savanna, Northern Prairie Outliers, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

.5
to
1
ft.

Spread

.25
to
.5
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Limestone, Well Drained, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Blue

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Nectar Insects, Bees

Maintenance

Drought resistant and low maintenance. Overwatering can result in root rot. Grows in a variety of soils. Can be used in the garden: wildflower meadow, shortgrass meadow, ground cover. Native habitat: prairie, plains, meadows, pastures, savannas. Propagation: seed, transplant bulbs.

Comments

Blooms March-May. Stems sturdy, usually branched, mainly from the base. Leaf blade narrow, linear. Flowers are star-shaped with 6 petals. Bloom period about 2 weeks, with each flower surviving only one day, opening in the morning and closing late afternoon. The bulbs colonize over time. The fruit is a capsule.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Ixia acuta, Nemastylis acuta

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Bulb Division Separate bulbs with care, replant in well-drained soil, in a sunny location. Place each corm 2-3 inches deep and 6-8 inches apart. Maintain adequate moisture to support rooting. After the foliage has yellowed and died back in late summer or early fall, carefully dig up your Prairie Celestial plants. You’ll find small, bulb-like structures clustered around the base of the original corm. These are the new corms, ready to grow into new plants. 1) https://www.picturethisai.com/wiki/Nemastylis_geminiflora.html#:~:text=Propagation:%20Prairie%20pleatleaf%20can%20be,Hydrangea%20macrophylla 2) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-nemastylis-geminiflora/
Seed Stratification Seeds can be somewhat slow to germinate. Don’t despair if you don’t see sprouts immediately in the spring. Be patient and maintain consistent moisture, and you will be rewarded with delicate seedlings. Prairie Celestial seeds benefit from a period of cold stratification to mimic natural winter conditions. In fall, sow the seeds directly in your garden or in pots filled with a well-draining seed starting mix. Gently press the seeds into the soil, but avoid burying them too deep. Over winter, the cold temperatures will work their magic, preparing the seeds for germination in the spring. Keep a watchful eye on your plants in late spring or early summer as the flowers fade. You’ll notice small seed capsules developing where the blooms once were. Allow these capsules to dry completely on the plant, turning brown and papery. Once dry, carefully collect the capsules and extract the small, black seeds within. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-nemastylis-geminiflora/

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason