Melasphaerula graminea or fairy bells

The fairy bells or in Afrikaans baardmannetjie (little bearded man), as Melasphaerula graminea is commonly known, was found flowering profusely in its shaded spot on a rocky slope in the Biedouw Valley during September.

The flower-shape gives a clue, but it’s not an easy guess that this plant forms part of the Iridaceae family.

The pointy flowers may exude a sour scent. Bend down to savour it in the interests of curiosity or to check the stories people tell (Manning, 2007).