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Lapeirousia is a genus in the plant family Iridaceae. It is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, about a third of the species occurring in fynbos. Lapeirousia are cormous plants, usually small, and with deciduous leaves. The corms are small, campanulate to triangular in outline, and flat-based. The inflorescence is a spike, sometimes contracted and fasciculate or a corymbose panicle. There are firm, green bracts, either small and sub equal, or with the outer bract very large, often keeled, crisped and ribbed. The perianth may be either actinomorphic or zygomorphic; the tube short or very long. It might be slender and cylindrical, adapted to pollination by long-tongued flies, or it might be funnel-shaped. The flowers' lobes may be sub equal and spreading, or unequal with upper largest petals erect, the lower three forming a lip. The stamens are symmetrically arranged.
Growing 7cm to 25cm with white to pale pink flowers with red markings in throat. Flowers in spring. Native to damp sandy areas.
USDA Zone - 8
Season to Sow - Autumn
Photos with credit to the late Rod and Rachel Saunders, eminent experts on South African indigenous flora.
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