Citation: Ker Gawler, Curlis's Bot. Mag. 16:t. 581 (1802).

Synonymy: Ixia squalida Sol. in Aiton, Hort. Kew. 1:61 (1789).

Common name: None

Description:
Perennial 30-65 cm high; corm to 2.5 cm diam.; leaves 4-8, erect, lanceolate, 8-40 cm long, 8-24 mm wide, soft-textured, green, with 3-7 veins.

Scape usually exceeding the leaves; flowers 4-10; spathes membranous, green with scarious brown apices, the outer bract 8-11 mm long; perianth actinomorphic, cup-shaped, pink, flushed or veined with darker pink; tube narrow below, abruptly dilated at the mouth, c. 1 cm long; lobes obovate to broadly spathulate, spreading, concave, 2.4-3 cm long, equal; stamens unilateral or spreading irregularly; filaments curved, 9-12 mm long; anthers 5-8 mm long, pale or purple; style exceeding the stamens; branches filiform, c. 5 mm long.

Published illustration: Innes (1985) The world of Iridaceae, t. 240.

Distribution:  On roadsides and in forest. S.Aust.: MU, SL.   W.Aust.; Vic.   Native to South Africa. Conservation status: naturalised Flowering time: Oct., Nov.

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

Biology: T. crocala (L.) Ker Gawler, with pure vermilion to orange flowers, may also persist in old gardens. Some garden escapes found in the Mt Lofty Ranges are close to this species and to the related T. squalida, and are likely to be of hybrid origin.

Author: Not yet available