Babiana ringens, the rotstert

Babiana ringens is a cormous perennial that grows a conspicuous sterile stem. The corm is usually positioned deeply in the ground with layers of matted tunic around it.

The stem photographed here is sturdy, curving and purplish. It was seen at Mamre near the west coast. The narrow, strongly pleated leaves, growing erectly and tapering to acute tips are visible on the side of the inflorescence. They are stiff and finely hairy, but may also be hairless.

The plant grows on sandy flats in the south-western Cape from Clanwilliam to Albertinia, often seen after fires (Manning, 2007; Manning and Goldblatt, 1996).