Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, South Africa

Common name: Geel spinnekopblom

Family: Iridaceae (Iris)

Distribution: Northern Cape, Western Cape

Habitat: Fynbos, Succulent Karoo

National red list: Least Concern

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

Comments: Bulbs from the genus Ferraria occurs mostly in the drier parts of southwestern and central South Africa. Their flowers are quite distinguishable as they are usually dull-coloured with spots and blotches and often also have wavy margins. Ferraria divaricata is a good example of this with its yellow to brown flowers with brownish-purple triangular marks on the petals. Its petal margins are also wavy. This endemic Cape bulb is quite widespread and can be found from Namaqualand to the Cape Flats. Although it has experienced habitat loss due to crop cultivation, alien invasion and urban expansion, it is not yet a threatened species. It can be seen flowering in spring.