Dipcadi

Dipcadi is a Hyacinthaceae, now probably an Asparagaceae genus of deciduous perennials; all bulbous herbs.

The bulb has thin outer layers forming a tunic, sometimes prolonged into a neck. Runners or bulbils are sometimes grown from it. One to several basal leaves are produced annually, usually present when the plant flowers.

The leaves may be straight or spirally twisted, linear or strap-shaped with pointed tips. The leaf-base may be free or stem-clasping. Leaf margins are variable: smooth, wavy, hair-fringed or lined with papillae. The blades are sometimes hairy.

The inflorescence is a raceme, sometimes secund, the number of flowers variable. The flowering stem (peduncle) may be cylindrical or ribbed, sometimes drooping in bud but erect when the flowers are open. The tubular perianth has segments fused in its basal part. The outer tepals mostly spread their lobes earlier than the inner ones.

Six uniform stamens reach the mouth without being exserted. The superior ovary is ovoid, the style variable in length and the stigma three-lobed in some species.

The fruit is an ovoid capsule, the seeds flatly disc-shaped.

There are about 30 species, occurring in Asia, near the Mediterranean and in Africa. About 14 of them are found in southern Africa.

The plant in picture is Dipcadi brevifolium (Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; iNaturalist).