Nicipe sp 110518A

A Nicipe species that is quite common in the Little Karoo. Observed around Oudtshoorn, calitzdorp and Ladismith. The bulbs are mostly epigeal. Leaves are needle-like and tend to spread partly sideways.

Flowering at Andrieskraal east of Calitzdorp.

Andrieskraal

 

Andrieskraal

Drimia sp South of Oudtshoorn 060418

A fairly large growing bulbs found growing in shade on a steep hill.  Pic of leaves later.

In habitat with fruit

Bulbs are solid and not scaled like in Drimia elata


Leaves

Eriospermum sp West of Prince Albert

Originally discovered by Gerhard Marx this Eriospermum is found some 10 km west of Prince Albert. The leaves resemble Eriospermum capense to some degree but are distinctly greyish-green as compared to green of the latter. I have not found a description in the thesis of Pauline Perry but could  have missed it due to the large amount of data there.

The peduncle is distinctly succulent and by estimate only around 10 cm high. The yellow to maroon flowers are surprisingly attractive.

Drimia species between Prince Albert and Klaarstroom 300318A

An interesting and fairly large epigeal bulb. The leaves are twisted somewhat similar to that of Boophone disticha but the leaves are shorter and the flowers and seeds typical of Drimia. The plants are found in an area between Prince Albert and Klaarstroom.

Picture taken during beginning of growing season. The leaves get perhaps up to twice the length as in the picture.

Picture taken 1 June with leaves approximately fully developed

In habitat

Flowers

Seed

For comparison included here a pic of Drimia physodes from the Tanqua Karoo.
Although perhaps related the difference maybe too much to regard both as the same species.

Albuca namaquensis relative Oudtshoorn area 150318A

Smooth grey-green leaves (not glandular). Hinged tips of inner petals. Has fairly large flat seed  larger than viscosa or spiralis- image to come later

This Albuca species occurs widespread in the Oudtshoorn and Calitzdorp area. On a number of websites a similar looking plant is referred to as Albuca spiralis. Also Albuca spiralis fizzle sizzle

https://worldofsucculents.com/albuca-spiralis-frizzle-sizzle/ seems to be a similar plant.

Although often referred as Albuca spiralis the plant discussed here  has smooth greyish green leaves while Albuca spiralis has green glandular leaves. ( See extract from Manning and others below). This species is thus not Albuca spiralis. Neither is it Albuca viscosa because the latter does not have  hinged petal tips but hooded petal tips.

I use the name Albuca heliglabra for the time being.

Extract from Color Encyclopdedia of Cape Bulbs - Manning, Goldblatt, Snijman for Albuca spiralis. It does not seem to fit for the species shown in this post. (click  on the image to enlarge)

This Albuca has  hinges on the apex of the inner petals similar to Albuca spiralis but lacks the glandular leaves

Schizobasis sp Miertjieskraal

Between Ladismith and Riversdale

Peduncles are brownish as compared to other forms. Sometimes peduncles are coiled below.

Photographs take in December.

Mostly the plants represent the same species as  Schizobasis Oudtshoorn .

Schizobasis sp Oudtshoorn

The plants are somewhat similar to Schizobasis indricata but form less branches. Peduncles can grow quite tall

Schizobasis north of Oudtshoorn starting to flower - I think it was late January

De Hoop west of Oudtshoorn

Flowering before and during April