Taxon

Melasphaerula ramosa

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Common name: Agretjie, Baardmannetjie, Bokbaardjie, Bruidjies, Feeklokkies, Fairy bell
Family: Iridaceae (Iris)
Synonym: Ixia pentandra, Ixia scillaris subsp. scillaris, Melasphaerula graminea, Tritonia scillaris
Distribution: Northeastern Southern Africa,Western Cape
Habitat: Rich soils on cool, shaded slopes
IUCN Red list: Not evaluated
National red list: Least Concern
Life form: Geophyte (bulb, corm or tuber - seasonally dormant)
Comments: This bulb has grass-like, cream-coloured flowers with dark red streaks in the center. It is quite widespread, growing on cool stony slopes from southern Namibia to Agulhas. The flowers have a strong sour to musk-like fragrance, which attract March Flies for pollination. These little flies are this species' only known pollinator.
Links: iSpot • Pacific Bulb Society • Red List of South African Plants

Locations

  • 1: Nursery areas • Accession: 2014-93 • Origin: South Africa • Provenance: Garden - wild origin
Cluster Area Area
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