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Melasphaerula is a cormous genus in the Iridaceae family with just one species, Melasphaerula ramosa. The name refers to the cormlets that form around the bell-shaped flat based corm. This species has erect, sword-shaped leaves, often with a purple midrib. Many small creamy white to pale yellow flowers are produced on a branched slender stem. This plant is widespread in the winter rainfall region of southern Africa, occurring from southern Namibia to the Agulhas Peninsula where it is found in sheltered shady places, often on cooler south or east facing hillsides.

An attractive dainty cormous geophyte growing 30-60cm with diffusely branched flower on grass-like wiry spikes. Flowers are small bilabiate(two-lips) cream pale-yellow, lower tepals streaked with red brown in midline. Naturally found mostly in sheltered areas on sand.

USDA Zone - 8

Season to Sow - Autumn

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