Babiana odorata L.Bolus

Plants 50-150 mm high, ± acaulescent. Stem inclined, usually with short lateral branches, velvety. Leaves lanceolate, pleated, softly hairy. Spike inclined, 3-to 8-flowered; bracts green with dry rust-coloured tips, softly hairy, 15-25 mm long, inner slightly shorter than outer, divided to base. Flowers zygomorphic, usually creamy yellow with deep yellow blotches on lower tepals, sometimes upper tepals flushed pale mauve, spicy violet-scented; perianth tube narrowly funnel-shaped, 10-14 mm long; tepals unequal, dorsal largest, 26-34 mm long, lower joined to upper laterals for ± 3 mm and to each another for 2-3 mm, forming a prominent lip, 20-22 mm long. Stamens unilateral; filaments arched under dorsal tepal, 14-17 mm long; anthers 5-6 mm long, blue or turquoise. Ovary densely hairy; style usually dividing opposite anther apices, branches 4-5 mm long, expanded apically.