Ixia dubia

Ixia dubia is a cormous perennial that grows to heights varying between 25 cm and 60 cm. Sword-shaped to linear leaves, about five to seven of them, are borne annually. The leaves become up to 50 cm long and 8 mm wide, while leaves of 10 cm by 1,5 mm are also seen.

The flowers grow spirally arranged in a compact spike on a wiry, usually unbranched stem. Three-toothed bracts, pinkish translucent and papery, are visible upon the stem below the flowers in picture. Up to ten flowers may grow upon a stem.

The species distribution is in the far southwest of the Western Cape, from the Cape Peninsula northwards to Piketberg and eastwards to Caledon and Hermanus.

The habitat is fynbos on granite and sandstone flats and slopes. In spite of habitat loss, the population in nature is deemed of least concern early in the twenty first century (Manning, 2007; Bean and John, 2005; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).