Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, South Africa

Common name: bontkalossie

Family: Iridaceae (Iris)

Distribution: Darling to the Cape Peninsula, historically also to Hopefield and Tulbagh

Habitat: Wet, sandy flats and lower slopes.

IUCN Red list: Not evaluated

National red list: Endangered

Life form: Geophyte (bulb, corm or tuber - seasonally dormant)

Comments: A pretty Cape bulb with purple or teal flowers, sometimes white or yellow, with dark centres. It is endemic to the Cape Floristic Region and occurs from the Cape Peninsula to Darling, although its historical distribution stretched as far as Tulbagh. It grows on sandy flats that become wet during the rainy winter season and its flowers can be seen from September to October. This species is endangered due to habitat loss which has been caused by urbanisation. Only a few fragmented subpopulations remain, and these continue to decline due to further habitat loss and alien invasion.