Lichtensteinia lacera

Lichtensteinia lacera, commonly called kalmoes or tornleaf kalmoes, is a perennial growing from a large rootstock, reaching 1,3 m when in flower.

The erect flowering stem is rigid, almost leafless and branched, the basal leaves sometimes withered when the plant flowers. The flat-topped inflorescence comprises multiple umbels of tiny yellow or greenish yellow florets, the long peduncles hollow. Bracts are present. Flowering happens from before midsummer to early autumn.

The narrowly oblong or cylindrical fruits are crowned with the persistent calyces.

The species distribution is in the far southwest of the Western Cape, from the Cape Peninsula to Stellenbosch. The photo was taken in Jonkershoek during July when only leaves were present.

The habitat is lower slopes and flats where the soil is often clayey. The species is not considered to be threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century.

The roots are edible (Manning, 2007; Bean and Johns, 2005; Leistner, (Ed.) 2000; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).