Tritoniopsis antholyza flowering exuberantly

A many-flowered Tritoniopsis antholyza inflorescence in Western Cape fynbos or renosterveld is not likely to be missed by the hiker looking for flowers. Some floral yellow is visible in the buds at the top of the spike in picture. The rest is pinkish red or salmon pink.

The tepal lobes recurve strongly in open flowers, while the dorsal one continues forward, providing cover over the anthers at the stamen tips. The specific name, antholyza, is derived from the Greek words anthos meaning flower and lyza meaning rage, referring to the widely open-mouthed, fairly red corollas that appear like enraged flowers.

There are always three stamens in flowers of Iridaceae family members, including Tritoniopsis. The furthest protruding floral parts in picture are the three short style branches.

The lance-shaped leaves directly from the ground attenuate in their drying tips. The flower stem emerges from the side (Curtis-Scott, et al, 2020; Marais, (Ed.), 2017; Manning, 2009; Mustart, et al, 1997; iNaturalist).