Sparaxis bulbifera (Harlequin flower)

Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Iridaceae
Subfamily: Ixioideae
Tribe: Ixieae
Genus: Sparaxis
Species: S. bulbifera
Binomial name: Sparaxis bulbifera
Common name: Harlequin flower

Sparaxis bulbifera is a bulb-forming deciduous, perennial plant. The species is native to Cape Province in South Africa and now naturalised in New Zealand. It grows to between 15 and 60 cm high.
Its leaves are lance-shaped, ribbed and occur in an erect basal fan. White to cream cup-shaped flowers develop during November December January. They are borne on loose spikes.

Paraxis bulbifera-002.JPG


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