Watsonia vanderspuyiae
Category photo (no photo of its own for this entry)
Endemic to the mountains of the Northern and Western Cape, around Tulbagh and Piketberg, Watsonia vanderspuyiae was found in the 19th century but only formally described in 1926 by botanist Louisa Bolus. This robust perennial Iridaceae, with sword-shaped foliage, produces tall stems of 1 to 2 m bearing tubular, bright red flowers with very long nectar-filled tubes, pollinated by sunbirds. Adapted to a winter-rainfall regime, it grows rapidly in autumn and winter and flowers in late spring and early summer, before its aerial parts wither away as temperatures rise. It requires well-drained soil and a sunny position.
- Family :Iridaceae
- Native to :v
- Growth :winter grower
- Flowering height :0-15 cm
Growing cycle
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Growth :January (sem. 1-4), February (sem. 1-4), March (sem. 1-4), April (sem. 1-4), May (sem. 1-4), June (sem. 1-4), July (sem. 1-4), August (sem. 1-4), September (sem. 1-4), October (sem. 1-4), November (sem. 1-4), December (sem. 1-4)
Flowering :May (sem. 1-4)