Trachyandra falcata inflorescence

Trachyandra falcata is a tuberous perennial found along the west coast of South Africa from the West Coast National Park near Saldanha to the Richtersveld and into Namibia. It became veldkool in Afrikaans (veld or field cabbage) to people that eat the flower spikes as a vegetable.

Broad, sickle-shaped, linear and leathery leaves clasp the stem base and surround the erect, stout flower stalks.

The white, sometimes faintly mauve or rosy tepal has a distinct brown, central line along its length. Flowers are only open at one narrow interval of the raceme at any given time, from bottom to top. Branching occurs occasionally, resulting in a few secondary racemes. The individual flower may last for less than a day (Manning, 2007; www.succulents.co.za).