Ornithogalum strictum preparing to bloom

The inflorescence of Ornithogalum strictum, known in Afrikaans as the somertjienk (summer chincherinchee), is narrow and about cylindrical when the flowers are still all covered by their pale green bracts.

Way down a few, oblong, pointed leaves clutch the base of the cylindrical, green scape. The leaves of this plant are sometimes already dry when the flowers appear.

These plants seen in the Biedouw Valley during September will in a couple of days entertain numerous insect visitors when their white flowers are open (Manning, 2007; Manning and Goldblatt, 1997; iNaturalist).