Babiana nana (Andrews) Spreng.

Plants 60-150(-250) mm high. Stem reaching shortly above ground, often 1-or 2-branched. Leaves ovate to narrowly lanceolate to ± linear, 15-35 mm wide (subsp. nana) or 5-15 mm wide (subsp. maculata), densely soft-hairy, moderately to lightly pleated, suberect or held ± at right angles to sheaths. Spike suberect to weakly inclined, 2-to 6-flowered; bracts green, densely hairy, 16-30 mm long, inner slightly shorter than outer, forked apically. Flowers zygomorphic, blue or violet, rarely pale pink, with white markings on lower lateral tepals, usually strongly rosy violet-scented; perianth tube obliquely funnel-shaped, 12-17 mm long; tepals subequal or upper 3 slightly larger, dorsal 25-30 mm long, lower 3 tepals united for a short distance, 22-25 mm long. Stamens unilateral; filaments arched, 10-14 mm long, sometimes shortly hairy at base; anthers 5.0-6.5 mm long. Ovary smooth (rarely shortly hairy on ribs); style usually dividing opposite or close to anther tips, branches 3(-5) mm long.

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in rocky or stony locations.

The bulb or corm is eaten as a snack and also cooked as a vegetable.

Can be grown by seedlings.