Tritoniopsis antholyza

Tritoniopsis antholyza, commonly known as mountain pipes and in Afrikaans as the karkarblom (karkar flower), is a robust, cormous perennial reaching heights around 90 cm.

The plant grows sword-shaped, leathery leaves and a flower stalk reaching about 90 cm in height. The leaves have three to six conspicuous longitudinal veins. They are often dry at bloomtime.

The species distribution is in the Western, Eastern and Northern Cape, from the Gifberg to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). The photo was taken in December near Fish Hoek. Flowering is better after fire.

The habitat is rocky fynbos slopes. The habitat population is deemed of least concern early in the twenty first century (Curtis-Scott, et al, 2020; Marais (Ed.), 2017; Manning, 2009; Mustart, et al, 1997; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).