Ixia stricta (eckl. ex Klatt) G.j.lewis

Plants 200-450 mm high, stem simple or with 1 or 2 ± erect branches subtended by acute, translucent bracts and prophylls, sheathed at base by short, dry cataphylls. Corm mostly ± 10-15 mm diam., tunics of medium-textured, shaggy fibres. Leaves (3)4 or 5, often ± dry at flowering, basal, lower 2 or 3 with blades plane, 4-9 mm wide, upper 1 or 2 sheathing stem in lower 1/2 to 2/3, free distally for short distance, margins and main vein thickened (hyaline when dry). Spike erect, flexuose, 6-12(-18)-flowered, bracts membranous, translucent, outer 5-6 mm long, usually with 1 prominent vein, and 1-toothed, inner bract ± as long or slightly shorter or longer, 2-veined and 2-toothed. Flowers rotate, pink to purple, pale yellow edged with darker pink at tepal bases, sweetly scented, perianth tube filiform, 4-5 mm long, clasping style, tepals spreading, obovate, ± obtuse, ± 10 x 4-5 mm. Stamens symmetrically arranged, filaments 1.0-1.5 mm long, white, anthers oblong, ± 2 mm long, erect, yellow, thecae acute and slightly recurved at base, dehiscing near base by longitudinal slits. Style dividing opposite base of filaments, branches arching outward, ± 1.5 mm long, falcate, tubular, stigmatic apically, pale pink. Flowering time: Nov.-mid-Dec.