Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, South Africa

Family: Amaryllidaceae (Amaryllis)

Distribution: Drakensberg

Habitat: Cliffs on mountain grassland, near streams and waterfalls

National red list: Rare

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

Comments: This is a beautiful South-African bulb from the grasslands of the Drakensberg. It is a habitat-specialist, only growing on high-altitude cliffs next to mountain streams. The bulbs are often found hanging downwards or lying horizontally on these cliffs. They flower from late-spring to early-summer, during which time its distinct flower stalk can be seen: the flower stalk is bent near the inflorescence to form a "shepherd's hook".