Babiana dregei Baker

Plants ± 120-350 mm high, including leaves. Stem aerial, reaching shortly to well above ground, arching outward below spike, usually branched, sometimes repeatedly, angular, smooth (or minutely hairy on spike axis). Leaves sword-shaped to lanceolate in a tight fan, (5-)10-20(-25) mm wide, pleated, smooth, with prominently thickened veins and margins (these turning pale yellow on drying), apices hard and pungent. Spike compact, several-flowered; bracts green or with dry tips, minutely puberulous, or velvety, outer 35-60 mm long, keeled, inner 5-10 mm shorter, forked apically. Flowers zygomorphic, dark blue to violet or magenta purple with white splashes edged in darker colour on lower lateral tepals, unscented; perianth tube elongate, (45-)50-65(-70) mm long, straight or slightly curved near throat; tepals unequal, dorsal 18-28 mm long, lower three slightly shorter, joined to upper laterals for 2 mm in a lip. Stamens unilateral; filaments 11-15 mm long; anthers ± 8 mm long. Ovary smooth; style usually dividing between middle and shortly beyond anther tips, branches 3-4 mm long.

A tropical or Mediterranean plant.

The bulbs are eaten fresh or cooked in milk. They can also be baked.