Botanical name

Dilatris pillansii

Family

Haemodoraceae

Common Name

Rooiwortel, Bloodroot
Dilatris pillansii
Dilatris pillansii
Dilatris pillansii
Dilatris pillansii
Dilatris pillansii
Dilatris pillansii

Description

Erect, rhizomatous geophyte up to 45cm with bright red basal parts and grey-hairy stems. A fan of stiff, softly hairy leaves, up to 30cm long and 4mm wide; softly hairy, velvety, pink to mauve flowers in loose round-topped flowerheads; stamens nestled within the tepals. Flowers more profusely after fire.

Greek: di = two; latris = servant: referring to 2 small anthers, subservient to the one larger one.

After: Mr. Neville Pillans (1884-1964), Cape botanist, assistant curator of the Bolus Herbarium, University of Cape Town.

 

Habitat

Rocky sandstone slopes

Flower Date

August to January