Brunsvigia pulchra lighting up its landscape

The Brunsvigia pulchra torch is lit annually to brighten the day, not the night. It shines among Namaqualand hills, making them famous.

No wonder the place is retained on the itineraries of many, committed to nature tourism in southern Africa. Few flower enthusiasts, however, see this sight in Namaqualand unfortunately, as the blooming occurs in autumn when the environment is dreary, the rare blooms mainly a reward for the locals.

The brightness in astonishing counter-colour for its world, is launched from a perennial underground bulb ensconced among dull quartzite rocks without airs. This display heralds the end of the dry, hot season, before the plant grows leaves with the arrival of winter rains (Williamson, 2010).