Babiana spathacea (L.F.) Ker Gawl.

Plants mostly 250-400 mm high. Stem erect, smooth, usually with several short branches held close to main stem, smooth. Leaves linear-lanceolate, pleated, shortly hairy. Spike congested, erect, many-flowered; bracts dry-membranous, pale brown or ± transparent with brown flecks, attenuate, 25-50 mm long, inner slightly shorter than outer, divided for 2/3 its length, rarely completely, but often torn at anthesis and appearing divided to base. Flowers zygomorphic, creamy beige to white, sometimes pale lilac outside, or bluish white to lilac, lower tepals and lower half of throat with small red or purple markings, odourless; perianth tube cylindric, sharply curved above, (30-)35-45 mm long; tepals unequal, dorsal 20-23 x 6 mm, ovate-spathulate, upper laterals curved backward, lower 3 joined together for a short distance, directed forward, ± 15 mm long. Stamens unilateral; filaments weakly arched, ± 10 mm long; anthers 4-6(-7) mm long, usually violet or purple. Ovary smooth; style dividing opposite anther tips, branches usually short, 1.8-2.5(-4.0) mm long.