Babiana scariosa G.J.Lewis

Plants mostly 300-600 mm high, occasionally up to 800 mm. Stem erect, smooth, usually with several short branches held close to axis. Leaves linear-lanceolate, pleated, shortly velvety. Spike erect, congested, many-flowered; bracts dry-papery, smooth, brown or ± translucent with brown flecks, attenuate, 20-24 mm long, inner bract divided for ± 2/3 its length. Flowers zygomorphic, blue to mauve with white to pale yellow markings on lower tepals; perianth tube narrowly funnel-shaped, 11-20 mm long; tepals unequal, dorsal largest, 23-27 x 6-11 mm, lower tepals joined to upper laterals for ± 5 mm, shortly clawed, 17-20 x 6-8 mm. Stamens unilateral; filaments arched, 12-14 mm long; anthers 5-7 mm long, yellow. Ovary smooth; style dividing opposite middle of anthers, branches 3-4 mm long.