Citation: Ker Gawler, Ann. Bot.(Koenig & Sims) 1:225 (1804).

Synonymy: Ixia bulbifera L., Amoen. Acad. 300 0756); S. grandiflora sensu J.H. Willis, Hdbk pl. Vic. 1:339 (1961), non Ker Gawler.

Common name: Harlequin flower.

Description:
Perennial to 55 cm high, producing numerous bulbils in all the leaf axils; corms to 1.5 cm diam.; leaves 5-9, erect, linear to sword-shaped, acute, 10-30 cm long, to 1 cm wide, rather soft-textured, pale-green, with a prominent mid-vein.

Scape often l-3-branched, partly sheathed by the leaves; spike flexuose, 2-6-flowered; spathes deeply lacerate with 2-4 subulate cusps, 1.5-2.5 cm long; perianth tube c. 1.5 cm long, pale-yellow; lobes oblanceolate, subacute, 2.5-2.8 cm long, 1-1.2 cm wide, white to cream, purple-flushed on the outside, less often pure white, pale-yellow, or purple; stamens unilateral; filaments curved, 7-8 mm long; anthers linear, 7-8 mm long, pale; style arched behind the stamens, with capillary branches c. 1 cm long.

Capsules c. 1 cm long; seeds c. 2 mm diam., black.

Distribution:  A potentially serious weed of native vegetation; the abundant bulbils allow the formation of dense pure stands (e.g. at Nixon-Skinner Conservation Park). Established colonies are resistant to disturbance, and may persist in lawns despite regular mowing. S.Aust.: EP, NL, SL, KI, SE.   W.Aust.; N.S.W.; Vic.; Tas.   Native to South Africa. Conservation status: naturalised Flowering time: Sept. — Oct.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: No text

Author: Not yet available