Babiana virginea Goldblatt

Plants 100-180 mm high, including leaves. Stem subterranean or barely raised above ground, usually unbranched. Leaves lanceolate, pleated, finely hairy, exceeding the flowers. Spike 2-to 4-flowered; bracts mostly 25-45 mm long, but lowermost up to 80 mm, densely hairy, green with brown, attenuate tips, inner forked at apex. Flowers zygomorphic, white or pale mauve with pale yellow or cream-coloured blotches on lower lateral tepals, intensely fragrant; perianth tube 45-65 mm long, gradually flaring from base, straight; tepals unequal, dorsal 35-40 mm long, lower directed forward, 30-35 mm long. Stamens unilateral; filaments arched, 15 mm long; anthers 9-11 mm long, pale yellow. Ovary smooth; style dividing opposite anther tips, branches spreading, ± 5 mm long, expanded at tips.