Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, South Africa

Common name: Long-tubed satinflower

Family: Iridaceae (Iris)

Distribution: Bokkeveld Mountains to Eendekuil

Habitat: Rocky sandstone soils

National red list: Near Threatened

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

Comments: A range-restricted Cape geophyte that grows on the lower mountain slopes of the Cederberg and Gifberg. Its flowers have a long tube and they are pollinated by long-proboscid flies. Although this species is still fairly common, it is losing habitat continuously due to agricultural activities such as rooibos and citrus cultivation. Especially the populations which occur on flat, sandy areas are in danger of being ploughed up, but populations that occur on rocky slopes are apparently less at risk.