Sparaxis pillansii L.Bolus

Plants 250-650 mm high, unbranched or with 1 to 3 branches from base. Corm 10-25 mm diam., tunics of moderately fine, netted fibres, often with fairly large cormlets in leaf axils. Leaves 8 to 10, all basal, reaching to ± middle of stem, lightly veined with central vein prominent. Spike suberect, lax, 4-to 9-flowered; bracts dry, translucent with dark brown streaks, outer narrowly deltoid, with single main vein, sometimes torn distally, 24-29 mm long, inner shorter to ± as long, often forked apically for up to 6 mm. Flowers radially symmetric, old rose-coloured fading to dull pink, tepals each with a heart-shaped yellow base edged in dark red to purple-brown, yellow in tube, unscented; perianth tube funnel-shaped, 7-9 mm long, lower slender portion ± 3 mm long; tepals subequal, lanceolate, subacute, 22-29 x 12-14 mm, slightly cupped or spreading horizontally when fully open. Stamens symmetrically arranged; filaments erect, ± 7.5 mm long, white, clasping style; anthers arcuate or slightly twisted in upper half, 7-8 mm long, red-purple or white with red-purple on adaxial surface. Style slender, white or red distally, dividing opposite middle of anthers, branches 2-3 mm long, slender, often slightly wider and bilobed distally, dark red, extending between anthers. Capsules ± barrel-shaped, ± 7 mm long. Seeds globose, glossy reddish brown, ± 2.5 mm diam., 4 to 6 per locule.

Old settlements.

Cultivated ornamental in gardens.