Sparaxis, Ker; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. iii. p. 708.
Sparaxis grandiflora, Ker in Konig and Sims’ Ann. i. 225; Fl. Cap. vol. vi. p. 116.
The plant here figured was introduced into Kew Gardens in the year 1758. Though it has been more than once illustrated in botanical publications, we do not apologise for reproducing this coloured illustration of one of the common bulbs found in so many gardens at the Cape. The species grandiflora is represented by many colour varieties, and is probably the same as the plant described as Spiraxis tricolor, which only appears to differ from it in the colour markings on the perianth. The variety here figured is probably the form originally described under the name Spiraxis atropurpurea.
The specimens were collected by Dr. R. Marloth, who forwarded them to the Division of Botany, Pretoria, where they flowered in August. They are preserved in the National Herbarium (Herb. No. 1454).
Description:—Bulb 1·3 cm. long, 1·3 cm. in diameter, covered with light-coloured fibrous tunics. Leaves about 10 to a bulb, distichous; the lower leaves about 5 cm. long and 4 mm. broad; the upper up to 26 cm. long and 1·2 cm. broad; all linear, acuminate, acute, with a distinct midrib and the inner margin membranous, sheathing at the base, glabrous. Inflorescence shorter than the upper leaves; peduncle about 12 cm. long, clasped and hidden by the inner leaves. Flowers about 6 to an inflorescence, purple. Bracts membranous, 1 cm. long, awned or lacerated with the awns up to 1·2 cm. long. Perianth-tube 9 mm. long, cylindric in the lower half, campanulate in the upper half; lobes 1·5 cm. long, 7 mm. broad, spathulate-obovate. Stamens attached to the throat of the perianth-tube; filaments 9 mm. long; anthers 1·3 cm. long, linear, eared at the base. Ovary 4 mm. long, 2·5 mm. in diameter, oblong; style 1·5 cm. long, terete; stigmas 8 mm. long.
Plate 60.—Fig. 1, perianth laid open; Fig. 2, bract; Fig. 3, stamen; Fig. 4, style and stigmas.
F.P.S.A., 1922.