Babiana spiralis Baker

Plants (150-)250-550 mm high. Stem erect, usually 2-to 6-branched, shortly velvety. Leaves narrowly lanceolate to linear, pleated, 1.5-2.5 mm wide, loosely to fairly tightly twisted above, often with pronounced pseudopetiole sometimes up to 40 mm long, sparsely scabrid on veins, sheath margins and upper edge of blade usually long-hairy, not cobwebby on sheaths. Spike 5-to 8-flowered; bracts green below, dry in upper 1/3, ± attenuate, obscurely hairy to hispid on lower midline, outer 8-10 mm long, inner slightly shorter, forked to ± middle. Flowers zygomorphic, blue-mauve to pink, lower tepals yellow with blue-mauve or pink tips, with strong freesia-like scent; perianth tube funnel-shaped, 8-10 mm long; tepals unequal, clawed, dorsal initially arched, later erect, 18-21 mm long, upper laterals joined to lower for ± 4 mm, lower 3 united for short distance, lower laterals abruptly expanded at top of claw, limb bases with prominent auriculate lobes. Stamens unilateral; filaments arched, ± 15 mm long; anthers 4 mm long. Ovary smooth; style dividing opposite middle of anthers, branches ± 3 mm long, spreading.