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Babiana is a genus of flowering plants in the Family Iridaceae composed of about 80 species. Most of these species (about 49) are found in the south-western Cape of Africa, with the remainder distributed in Namaqualand and Northern Cape Province. The native range of the genus is from southern Namibia to the Eastern Cape to southern Zimbabwe, with one species from Socotra off the coast of Somalia (although this may not be a species of Babiana). The genus name is derived from the Dutch word babianer, referring to the African ape that consumes the corms of plants in the genus.

Growing up to 15cm with pleated hairy leaves and large bright rosy pink flowers in Spring. Extremely rare.

USDA Zone - 8

Season to Sow - Autumn

Photos with credit to the late Rod and Rachel Saunders, eminent experts on South African indigenous flora.

Babiana is a genus of flowering plants in the Family Iridaceae composed of about 80 species. Most of these species (about 49) are found in the south-western Cape of Africa, with the remainder distributed in Namaqualand and Northern Cape Province. The native range of the genus is from southern Namibia to the Eastern Cape to southern Zimbabwe, with one species from Socotra off the coast of Somalia (although this may not be a species of Babiana). The genus name is derived from the Dutch word babianer, referring to the African ape that consumes the corms of plants in the genus.

Growing up to 20cm with long leaves and long tubed yellow flowers in spring.

USDA Zone - 8

Season to Sow - Autumn

Photos with credit to the late Rod and Rachel Saunders, eminent experts on South African indigenous flora.

Bulbinella is a genus of plant in the family Xanthorrhoeaceae, subfamily Asphodeloideae. Most species are endemic to South Africa, confined to the winter rainfall area with a few in New Zealand where they are most common in the central Otago region which enjoys a similar climate to the Cape Region of South Africa. They are characterised by the presence of a dense terminal raceme of flowers, often yellow but also white, pink, yellow or orange depending on the species. In the New Zealand species only species with white and yellow flowers occur. Each flower occurs in the axil of a bract and has 1 nerved perianth segments that are almost free. Each flower has 6 stamens. The seeds are characteristically shield shaped and there are one or two seeds in each chamber. The plants may grow up to 1 metre in height and have narrow or thread like but never succulent leaves. The leaves decay into prominent fibres at the base of the stem, often netted or reticulate in appearance. They tend to overwinter and aestivate with wiry or swollen tubers.

Growing up to 0.6m the plant has a pink bud opening to white flowers in Spring and they make great cut flowers.

USDA Zone - 8

Season to Sow - Autumn

Photos with credit to the late Rod and Rachel Saunders, eminent experts on South African indigenous flora.

Attractive cormous geophyte plant growing up to 15cm with falcate / undulate leaves. Flowers are pale to deep blue with a white central star or star markings on tepals. In its natural habitat they are found on sandy or granite slopes. Flowering from Sept- Nov.

USDA Zone - 8

Season to Sow - Autumn

Photos with credit to the late Rod and Rachel Saunders, eminent experts on South African indigenous flora.

Colchicum is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coast, down the East African coast to South Africa and the Western Cape. In this genus, the ovary of the flower is underground. As a consequence, the styles are extremely long in proportion, often more than 10 cm. All species in the genus are toxic.

Prostrate plant with long leaves with wavy edges and green bracts enclose cream flowers in winter to spring. A good plant for potting they are naturally found in sandy, coastal 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.

Colchicum is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coast, down the East African coast to South Africa and the Western Cape. In this genus, the ovary of the flower is underground. As a consequence, the styles are extremely long in proportion, often more than 10 cm. All species in the genus are toxic.

"White cup-and-saucer" grows to 5cm it is a stemless geophyte, with white flowers cupped in large whitish bracts flowering from late winter to spring.

USDA Zone - 8

Season to Sow - Spring

Photos with credit to the late Rod and Rachel Saunders, eminent experts on South African indigenous flora.

Cyanella is a genus of cormous perennial herb native to South Africa.

Growing from 7-25cm with grass-like leaves, and white flowers in spring. Likes the full sun and well drained soil.

USDA Zone - 8

Season to Sow - Autumn

Photos with credit to the late Rod and Rachel Saunders, eminent experts on South African indigenous flora.

Cyrtanthus is a genus of perennial, herbaceous and bulbous plants in the Amaryllis family. This highly ornamental genus encompasses about 60 species. It is endemic in the southern and eastern parts of Africa and is represented in all nine provinces of South Africa, with the highest concentration of species occurring in the southern parts of Eastern Cape. The name Cyrtanthus refers to the curved perianth tube of many of the species and is derived from the Greek kyrtos meaning curved and anthos meaning flower. This genus is highly valued horticulturally. Species differ greatly in the colour, size, shape and position of the flowers.

Growing to 40cm with bright red flowers and evergreen foliage it is easy to cultivate. Likes semi to shady areas and well-drained sandy soil.

USDA Zone - 7

Season to Sow - Autumn

Photos with credit to the late Rod and Rachel Saunders, eminent experts on South African indigenous flora.

Eucomis is a southern African genus in the Hyacinthaceae family. The name is derived from the Greek word Eucomos, meaning "Beautifully Haired". Plants are commonly known as Pineapple lilies because in many of the species the blooms resemble a pineapple. They often have an unpleasant scent since they are pollinated by flies. Most of the species are found in the summer rainfall areas of South Africa, some at higher elevations. In cultivation they have proved to be hardy to frost, especially if planted deeply or protected during their dormancy by snow. They are best grown in the shade and given regular water during growth. This is especially true of plants grown in sun as otherwise the leaves will become limp.

To 2m, wide-opening green flowers Su, cluster of leaves at the tip of each flowers spike, attractive greenish fruits. Sow Sp. Zone 8.

USDA Zone - 8

Season to Sow - Autumn

Photos with credit to the late Rod and Rachel Saunders, eminent experts on South African indigenous flora.

Eucomis is a southern African genus in the Hyacinthaceae family. The name is derived from the Greek word Eucomos, meaning "Beautifully Haired". Plants are commonly known as Pineapple lilies because in many of the species the blooms resemble a pineapple. They often have an unpleasant scent since they are pollinated by flies. Most of the species are found in the summer rainfall areas of South Africa, some at higher elevations. In cultivation they have proved to be hardy to frost, especially if planted deeply or protected during their dormancy by snow. They are best grown in the shade and given regular water during growth. This is especially true of plants grown in sun as otherwise the leaves will become limp.

Attractive rosette of leaves with a dense spike of greenish flowers with a tuft of leaf-like bracts at tip, the only winter growing Eucomis and is dormant in summer.

USDA Zone - 8

Season to Sow - Autumn

Photos with credit to the late Rod and Rachel Saunders, eminent experts on South African indigenous flora.

Freesia is a genus in the Iridaceae of about 14 species from southern Africa, mostly from the winter rainfall region of South Africa.

An attractive cormous geophyte growing to 20cm with sword shaped leaves. Flowers are creamy to white with mauve reverse with broad yellow markings and is sweetly scented. Found naturally in coastal areas in deep sand. Flowers from August to September.

USDA Zone - 8

Season to Sow - Autumn

Photos with credit to the late Rod and Rachel Saunders, eminent experts on South African indigenous flora.

Freesia is a genus in the Iridaceae of about 14 species from southern Africa, mostly from the winter rainfall region of South Africa.

Growing to 20cm with scented cream flowers with darker markings flowering in spring.

USDA Zone - 8

Season to Sow - Autumn

Photos with credit to the late Rod and Rachel Saunders, eminent experts on South African indigenous flora.

Geissorhiza is a genus of about 80 species of flowering plants in the iris family which originate from South Africa. The genus name is derived from the Greek words geisson, meaning "tile", and rhizon, meaning "root". Geissorhiza are found in the winter rainfall region of the south and west coasts of southern Africa. Many of them make very handsome container plants and benefit from extra water during growth. Geissorhiza blooms during the day.

Growing to 20cm with ribbed leaves and white to yellow flowers with red on reverse of petals flowering in spring. Naturally found in wet 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.

Geissorhiza is a genus of about 80 species of flowering plants in the iris family which originate from South Africa. The genus name is derived from the Greek words geisson, meaning "tile", and rhizon, meaning "root". Geissorhiza are found in the winter rainfall region of the south and west coasts of southern Africa. Many of them make very handsome container plants and benefit from extra water during growth. Geissorhiza blooms during the day.

Growing to 25cm with pale lilac/blue-mauve flowers with white centres flowering in spring.

USDA Zone - 8

Season to Sow - Autumn

Photos with credit to the late Rod and Rachel Saunders, eminent experts on South African indigenous flora.

Geissorhiza is a genus of about 80 species of flowering plants in the iris family which originate from South Africa. The genus name is derived from the Greek words geisson, meaning "tile", and rhizon, meaning "root". Geissorhiza are found in the winter rainfall region of the south and west coasts of southern Africa. Many of them make very handsome container plants and benefit from extra water during growth. Geissorhiza blooms during the day.

Growing to 20cm with terete leaves and pretty pale yellow flowers, flowering in spring.

USDA Zone - 8

Season to Sow - Autumn

Photos with credit to the late Rod and Rachel Saunders, eminent experts on South African indigenous flora.

Geissorhiza is a genus of about 80 species of flowering plants in the iris family which originate from South Africa. The genus name is derived from the Greek words geisson, meaning "tile", and rhizon, meaning "root". Geissorhiza are found in the winter rainfall region of the south and west coasts of southern Africa. Many of them make very handsome container plants and benefit from extra water during growth. Geissorhiza blooms during the day.

Growing to 30cm with linear leaves and mauve flowers with unequal stamens found in shady damp spots. Flowers late spring to summer.

USDA Zone - 8

Season to Sow - Autumn

Photos with credit to the late Rod and Rachel Saunders, eminent experts on South African indigenous flora.

Hesperantha is a genus of flowering plants in the family Iridaceae. The genus name is derived from the Greek words hesperos, meaning "evening", and anthos, meaning "flower".

Growing to 25cm a summer growing plant with beautiful deep pink flowers in autumn. Likes the shade.

USDA Zone - 7

Season to Sow - Spring

Photos with credit to the late Rod and Rachel Saunders, eminent experts on South African indigenous flora.

The genus Ixia consists of a number of cormous plants native to South Africa from the Iridaceae family and Ixioideae subfamily. Some of them are known as the corn lily. Some distinctive traits include: sword-like leaves, and long wiry stems with star-shaped flowers. It usually prefers well-drained soil. The popular corn lily has specific, not very intense fragrance as vegetables. That is why it's often visited by many insects such as bees. The Ixia are also used sometimes as ornamental plants. The genus name is derived from the Greek words ixias, meaning "the chameleon plant", and physis, meaning "bladder".

Growing to 30cm with 3 falcate leaves an 2-6 blue-purple flowers with yellow throat in a wiry twisted spike with twisted branches flowering in spring.

USDA Zone - 8

Season to Sow - Autumn

Photos with credit to the late Rod and Rachel Saunders, eminent experts on South African indigenous flora.

The genus Ixia consists of a number of cormous plants native to South Africa from the Iridaceae family and Ixioideae subfamily. Some of them are known as the corn lily. Some distinctive traits include: sword-like leaves, and long wiry stems with star-shaped flowers. It usually prefers well-drained soil. The popular corn lily has specific, not very intense fragrance as vegetables. That is why it's often visited by many insects such as bees. The Ixia are also used sometimes as ornamental plants. The genus name is derived from the Greek words ixias, meaning "the chameleon plant", and physis, meaning "bladder".

Growing between 20-50cm with broad leaves and pink-purple flowers in spring.

USDA Zone - 8

Season to Sow - Autumn

Photos with credit to the late Rod and Rachel Saunders, eminent experts on South African indigenous flora.

Lachenalia is a genus of bulbs in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of these plants have a dormancy period, and the new roots of these plants will always grow every year. Lachenalia is named after the Swiss botanist Werner de Lachenalia.

Growing 8-30cm with pendulous orange/red flowers with green tips from Autumn to Spring. A striking, excellent pot/garden plant.

USDA Zone - 8

Season to Sow - Autumn

Photos with credit to the late Rod and Rachel Saunders, eminent experts on South African indigenous flora.

Lachenalia is a genus of bulbs in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of these plants have a dormancy period, and the new roots of these plants will always grow every year. Lachenalia is named after the Swiss botanist Werner de Lachenalia.

Growing 8-20cm with heart-shaped hairy leaves and the flowers are pale yellow occasionally flushed with pink. Flowers in spring and makes an excellent pot plant.

USDA Zone - 8

Season to Sow - Autumn

Photos with credit to the late Rod and Rachel Saunders, eminent experts on South African indigenous flora.

Massonia is a genus in the Hyacinthaceae family found in dry areas in southern Africa. Species have two prostrate or spreading leaves and a head-like inflorescence at ground level with large and leafy bracts and tubular flowers with the filaments shortly joined together at the base. Seeds are formed in a three angled papery capsule which as it dries elongates and easily lifts out or is detached to disperse the seeds. Most species are winter growers and bloom early so probably need to be started into growth in late summer, early fall. Easily grown from seed and making a nice pot plant; each year they increase in size and the leaves can soon become crowded.

It has 2 broad leathery prostrate leaves with tubercles on upper surface and many creamy white/pink/yellow flowers in spring.

USDA Zone - 8

Season to Sow - Autumn

Photos with credit to the late Rod and Rachel Saunders, eminent experts on South African indigenous flora.