Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, South Africa

Common name: Krulletjie, Spinnekopblom, Black flag, Spider flower, Starfish lily

Family: Iridaceae (Iris)

Synonym: Ferraria crispa subsp. crispa, Ferraria crispa subsp. nortieri, Ferraria ensiformis, Ferraria obtusifolia, Ferraria undulata, Ferraria vandermerwei, Moraea undulata

Distribution: Eastern Cape, Western Cape

Habitat: Fynbos

IUCN Red list: Not evaluated

National red list: Least Concern

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

Comments: A widespread, mainly coastal Cape bulb found from Lambert's Bay to Mossel Bay and the Little Karoo. It typically grows coastal rocky sites, next to mountain streams or on cool, moist, south-facing slopes. Its flowers are brown, either speckled or uniform, and a distinguishing feature is its light brown to brown-green crisped petal edges. It is pollinated by flies, which are attracted to the unpleasant scent of the flowers. This spring-flowering species does not face any immediate or potential threats yet.