Babiana ringens
Category photo (no photo of its own for this entry)
Endemic to the Cape province of South Africa, Babiana ringens, nicknamed the rat's-tail babiana, is a cormous plant remarkable for its sterile, sturdy, velvety stem that stands well above the inflorescence. This stem serves as a perch for sunbirds, notably the malachite sunbird, which pollinate the unscented but nectar-rich red and yellow flowers by leaning down from it. It is one of the few Babiana species pollinated by birds rather than insects. It flowers in spring and requires well-drained soil, a sunny position, and a dry summer rest typical of the Cape's Mediterranean climate.
- Family :Iridaceae
- Section :Ringens
- 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)