Botanical name

Bobartia longicyma subsp. magna

Family

Iridaceae

Common Name

Besembiesie
Bobartia longicyma subsp. magna
Bobartia longicyma subsp. magna
Bobartia longicyma subsp. magna
Bobartia longicyma subsp. magna
Bobartia longicyma subsp. magna

Description

Rhizomatous geophyte up to 1.8m. Cylindrical leaves and stems are usually of equal length. Flowers bright yellow, enclosed by green to purple spathes, arranged in a small head of 2-20 flowers.

Flowers more profusely after fire.

The firm leaves and flower stems can be used to make an efficient broom (Afrik: besem = broom), hence common name Besembiesie.

After: Jacob Bobart (1599-1680), German botanist and Head Gardener of the Oxford Botanic Garden.

Habitat

Sandy flats and lower slopes

Flower Date

August to November