Ixia Species Description and Identification

• acaulis Goldblatt & Manning
  A species differing from all other Ixia species in its short subterranean stem, single terminal flowers with subterranean ovary
  Found in rock cracks on limestone ridges
  Leaves : 3-5, basal. Linear to narrowly lanceolate, spreadind, often prostrate
  Flowers : bright yellow
  Flowering time : May
  Distribution : Western Cape
  
• aurea J. C. Manning & Goldblatt
  Ixia aurea is known only from the granitic slopes above the Darling-Yzerfontein road, the yellow-orange spikes making a brilliant display when the plants flower in September, occasionally into early October
  Leaves : 5 or 6, all basal, narrowly lanceolate, (8-) 10-16 mm. wide, usually reaching to about the middle of stem, uppermost leaf usually entirely sheathing, margins and midribs not thickened, lightly twisted in upper half
  Flowers : uniformly deep yellow or orange, unscented
  Flowering time : September/October
  Distribution : Western Cape Darling District
  
• brevituba G.J. Lewis
  The description has been drawn from the only two known collection of this very distinct species. It is most closely allied to I. trifolia but distinguished by the taller, more slender stem, longer narrow leaves and blue flowers, with a very short perianth tube which is not more than 1.5 mm. Long and is the shortest in the genus
  Flowers : actinomorphic, pale blue or violet-blue, tinged with darker blue
  Leaves : 4 to 5, linear or linear-lanceolate, subfalcate or erect, 18 to 45 cm. Long. 1.5 to 4 mm. Wide, firm with the margins, mid rib,and one or two other veins slightly prominent
  Flowering time : September/October
  Distribution : Sutherland, near Quaggas Pass on road from Middleport to Ceres
  
• brunneobracteata G.J. Lewis
  The shiny, chestnut colored bracts, sometimes torn at the apex, distinguish this species from all others in the section
  It is allied to I. capillaris but as well as the different bract, it has slightly wider leaves and the spikes are more complete and usually have more flowers
  Plants grow in marshy places near the western border of the Calvinia divisions at about 2000 - 3000 ft. altitude
  Leaves : three, the lower two are linear or linear-lancelate, erect, or the lower falcate, about half as long as the stem, 2-5 mm wide, fairly firm with the mid-rib and margins fairly prominent
  Flowers : campanulate, cream-colored and the outer lobes occasionally pale mauve, the tube yellow inside
  Flowering time : September/October
  Distribution : Nieuwoudtville, Groenriver, Bokeveld, Willemsriver
  
• campanulata Houtt.
  Common names : red ixia, rooikaloosie
  Grows in sandy places at the foot of the mountains in the Tubalgh, Paarl and Worcester Division
  The species is variable as regards the size of the plant, the number of flowers and their color which varies from deep crimson to pure white, with intermediates such as longitudinally- banded with white on the outside or white-flushed with red on the outside
  Leaves : 5 to 10, linear or sublate, 5 to 20 cm. Long, 2 to 5 mm. Wide, erect or sub-erect, usually half as long as the stem, or slightly more, 3-6 nerved (occasionally), the mid rib and margins slightly prominent
  Flowers : rotate-campanulate or crateri-form with a short tube, varying from deep crimson to pure white, usually red, with a longitudinal white band on the outside of the lobes or, white-suffused with red outside
  Flowering times : October - November
  Distribution : Worcester, Paarl
  
• capillaris L. f.
  Plants grow on flats, hills and mountain slopes in sandy or clay soils
  Flowers : white, pale blue or mauve, sometimes pale green at the throat
  Leaves : three, erect, the lower two linear or linear-filiform with the margins of the ribs more or less raised, 6-18 cm. long, 0.5 - 2 cm wide, often spirally twisted, seldom reaching above middle of stem, upper leaf larger.
  Flowering time : July to September
  Distribution : Clanwilliam, Piketberg, Ceres, Worcester, Malmsbury, Bellville, Paarl, Stellonbosch, Somerset West, Montagu, Riversdale, Ladismith, Laingsburgh
• cochlearis G.J. Lewis FP 25: 969
  The plants grow on dry, stoney slopes in the Stellonbosch Division
  The flowers resemble some forms of I. Latifolia but the corm, leaves, simple flexuose stem and much shorter bracts are quite different
  Leaves : 3 basal and 2 or 3 cauline, linear, erect or sub-erect, 10 - 3o cm. Long, 1-3 mm. wide, usually reaching to the base of spike or shortly below it
  Flowers : rose-pink or salmon-pink with darker median veins on the lobes
  Flowering time : November
  Distribution : Stellonbosch
  
• collina Goldbl. & Snijman
  Plants grow on moist south-facing clay slopes of karroid hills
  Leaves : 3 or 4, linear to narrowly ensiform
  Flowers : pink, with a cream-colored to yellow centre outlined in deep pink
  Flowering time : late August to mid September
  Distribution : Western Cape, South East of Worcester
  
• crispa sensu G.J. Lewis. Non L. f = I.erubescens
• curta Andr.
  curta : shortened, curtailed
  plants grow in sandy soils on flats and hills
  Inflorescence : usually simple, rarely branched, three to ten flowered, up to 40 cm.
  Flowers : bright golden-yellow with a dark brown or dark green mark in the centre, the outer lobes usually flushed red on the reverse
  Leaves : four to six, firm, erect to sub-erect, sometimes twisted, up to 25 cm.
  Flowering time : October
  Distribution : Moorreesburg, Hopefield, Malmsbury and Darling
  
• curvata G.J. Lewis
  Closely related to I. Trifolia
  Leaves : 3-5, linear, arcuate, with prominent midriff
  Flowers : deep pink
  Flowering time : September
  Distribution : found only on the Calvinia and Great Roggeveld Plateau
  
• dubia Vent.
  dubia : dubious, doubtful
  Plants grow in open, sandy places on flats, slopes, hills and on plateaux
  Inflorescence : simple or branched, 25 t0 50 cm., occasionally up to 75 cm., three to fifteen flowered
  Flowers : with a long tube, bright golden-yellow to orange with a dark centre and reddish on the undersides of the outer lobes
  Leaves : shorter than the stem, up to 15 cm.
  Flowering time : October to December
  Distribution : Piketberk to the peninsular and Tulgagh and east to Caledon
  In I. dubia, the dark stain in the middle of the flower has no yellow star-like pattern at its base. It differs also, from I maculata, in having smaller bracts and bracteoles of a different color and texture and the filaments are always free
  
• erubescens Goldbl.
  ( I. crispa sensu G.J Lewis, non L.f.) 2
  (Formerly I. Crispa)
  Readily distinguished by its strongly crisped leaves
  Grows on stoney or clayey flats and hill slopes
  Leaves : 4-6 , linear or lanceolate, with margins strongly crisped
  Flowers : pink with a small, greenish centre often outlined in red
  Flowering time : August & September
  Distribution : Piketberg, Tulbagh, Worcester, Paarl, Stellonbosch and Caledon
  
• esterhuyseniae De Vos
  This is a high altitude species growing at altitudes of 900 -1200 m.
  Closely resembles I. Oderata
  Leaves : 6 or 7, linear-lanceolate, with 1-3 or more slightly prominent veins
  Flowers : yellow, reddish outside in upper half
  Flowering time : late December to early January
  Distribution : Jonker-hoek, Hottentots Holland Mountains
  
• flexuosa L.
  flexuosa : bent alternately in opposite directions
  Common name : corn flower, koringblom
  Plants grow in clay or sandy soils on flats, hills and mountain slopes
  Inflorescence : simple or branched, up to 65 cm., stems slender, three to fifteen flowered
  Flowers : fainly scented, pink, mauve or white, with dark stripes radiating from the centre
  Leaves : narrow, sometimes spirally twisted
  Flowering time : Late July to early October
  Distribution : Clanwilliam to Ceres and the Peninsular and east to Worcester and Riversdale
  
  
• framesii L.Bol.
  framesii : named in honor of the late Percy Ross Frames, a plant collector
  Plants grow in sandy situations. A rare species
  Inflorescence : usually simple, slender, up to 35 cm., usually three to six flowered, occasionally up to twelve
  Flowers : salmon-pink to tomato-red, or brick-colored, with long perianth tubes and dark markings in the centre Flowering time : July to October
  Distribution : Darling, Malmsbury
  
• frederickii De Vos
  Plants grow on sandy soils
  Leaves : Linear, somewhat flaccid in texture, veins and margins slightly prominent
  Flowers : fiery orange-red with a small glossy, brownish-black to purplish or sometimes dark olive-green centre
  Flowering time : October
  Distribution : Bokbaai and Mamre
  
• fucata Ker-Gawl, var. filifolia G.J. Lewis
  Corm fibres not forming a long tuft; leaves linear-filiform, up to 1 mm. wide
  Grows on mountain slopes and in kloofs at altitudes of 900 m. or higher
  Leaves : 3, linear-filiform, midrib fairly prominent
  Flowers : salver-shaped, white or pale pink , deep pink outside and at base of lobes
  Flowering time : September to November
  Distribution : in the mountains around Worcester, Paarl and Caledon, at up to about 1000 m.
  
• fucata Ker-Gawl. var. fucata
  Corm fibres usually forming a long tuft around base of shoot; leaves linear or subulate
  Leaves : 3, or 4, linear or subulate with midrib and often margins fairly prominent, and sometimes with raised veins
  Grows on mountain slopes and in kloofs at altitudes of 900 m. or higher
  Flowers : salver-shaped, white or pale pink
  Flowering time : September to November
  Distribution : found in the mountains around Ceres, Worcester, Montagu and Robertson
  
• gloriosa G.J Lewis
  A rare species somewhat resembling I. Lutea var. ovata
  Leaves : (2) , 3 or 4, linear, erect with slightly prominent margins and mid rib
  Flowers : deep pink with a large purple-black circular centre glossy when fresh
  Flowering time : August to Sptember
  Distribution : Western Cape, foot of Langeberg near Leeurivierberg, on lower mountain slopes in the Montagu district
  
• latifolia Delaroche var. angustifolia G.J. Lewis
  Plants grow on sandy flats and mountain slopes
  A slender alpine variety distinguished from var. latifolia by its narrower leaves and more often simple stem with 1 or 2 flowered spike
  Leaves : 3-5, lanceolate, to linear , falcate or straight, firm, with margins and midrib often prominent
  Flowers : pink, mauve to violet or magenta, rarely whiteish; sometimes with a long perianth tube
  Flowering time : October to December (to January)
  Distribution : Clanwilliam to Ceres, Paarl and Stellonbosch
  
• latifolia Delaroche var. curviramosa G.J. Lewis
  Plants grow on sandy flats and mountain slopes
  The plants are sturdier and shorter than in var. latifolia (in dry seasons only 100 mm. tall)
  Leaves : 3-5, lanceolate, to linear , falcate or straight, firm, with margins and midrib often prominent
  Flowers : whitish, pale mauve or magenta
  Flowering time : September to October
  Distribution : from Ceres to Laingsburg, and Worcester to Montagu
  
• latifolia Delaroche var. latifolia
  Plants grow on sandy flats and mountain slopes
  Leaves : 3-5, lanceolate, to linear , falcate or straight, firm, with margins and midrib often prominent; 8-20 cm. wide
  Flowers : mauve, pink or magenta
  Flowering time : September to October
  Distribution : A few local forms of this var. occur near Prince Alfred Hamlet; from Calvinia to Ceres and Worcester
  
• latifolia Delaroche var. parviflora G.J. Lewis
  Somewhat similar to var. curviramosa
  Plants grow on sandy flats and mountain slopes
  Leaves : 3-5, lanceolate, to linear , falcate or straight, firm, with margins and midrib often prominent; 8-20 cm. wide
  Flowers : smaller 15-20 mm., deep pink to violet, fragrant
  Flowering time : August to September
  Distribution : Western Cape, Laingsberg, Whitehill, Ghaap Kop, Montagu
  
• latifolia Delaroche var. ramulosa G.J. Lewis
  Plants grow in sandy soil
  This variety closely resembles a form of var. curviramosa from the Koue Bokkeveld which also has deep magenta flowers
  Leaves : 5-15 mm. wide
  Flowers : purple or mauve
  Flowering time : August to September
  Distribution : Namaqualand
  
• leipoldtii G.J. Lewis
• longituba N.E.Br.
• longituba N.E.Br. var. bellendenii (R. C. Foster) M. P. de Vos, comb. et stat. nov., p. 63
  An impressive distinctive species with large flowers
  Inflorescence : simple or branched with tall, wiry stems, six to twelve flowered, up to 60 cm.
  Flowers : large, with a long tube, cream, or cream flushed with pink, with deep pink on reverse
  Leaves : two or three, basal, erect, up to 40 cm., shorter than the inflorescence
  Flowering time : September/October
  Distribution : Villiersdorp, Caledon, Bredasdorp
  
• lutea Eckl. var. lutea
• lutea Eckl. var. ovata (Andr.) B. Nord
• maculata L. var. fusco-citrina (Desf.ex DC) G.J. Lewis
• maculata L. var. intermedia G.J. Lewis
• maculata L. var. maculata FP 9:329.
  maculata : spotted, marked, blotched
  Common names : yellow ixia, geelkalossie
  Plants were once common but owing to agricultural development they are becoming fairly rare. They grow in sandy soils on flats and low hills
  Inflorescence : up to 60 cm., simple or branched
  Flowers : up to seventeen, yellow or deep golden-yellow to orange with purplish-black blotches at the throat
  Leaves : six, up to 20 cm.
  Flowering : September/October
  Distribution : from Clanwilliam south to the Peninsular, also at Tulbagh and Worcester
  
• marginifolia (Salisb) G.J Lewis
• metelerkampiae L. Bol.
• micranda Bak. var. confusa G.J Lewis
  micrandra : with small or short stamens
  Plants grow in sandy soils on flats, hills and mountain slopes
  Inflorescence : usually simple, slender, up to 60 cm., two to six flowers
  Flowers : white, deep to pale pink to mauve, with very short stamens
  Leaves : very narrow, shorter than the inflorescence
  Flowering time : July to September
  Distribution : from Paarl and Hottentots Holland Mountains east to Oudtshoorn and Bredasdorp
  
• micranda Bak. var. micranda
• micranda Bak. var. minor G.J Lewis
• monadelpha Delaroche FP 8:317
• mostertii De Vos
• odorata Ker-Gawl var. hesperanthoides G.J Lewis
  odorata : fragrant
  Plants variable in size. They grow in sandy soils on flats, hills and mountain slopes
  Inflorescence : simple, occasionally branched, 25 to 45 cm., usually about 35 cm. Stems long, slender, wiry, five to ten flowered, occasionally up to eighteen flowered
  Flowers : fragrant, bright yellow, the segments sometimes reddish beneath
  Leaves : three to five, somewhat spirally twisted, shorter than the inflorescence
  Flowering time : September/October, occasionally November
  Distribution : Clanwilliam to the Peninsular, Worcester, Ceres to Caledon and Hermanus
  
• odorata Ker-Gawl var. odorata FP 9:349
• orientalis L.Bol.
• paniculata Delaroche
  paniculata : growing in a panicle
  A tall, variable species, however, the distinctive character is the long perianth tube
  Plants grow in damp sandy soils on flats, mountain slopes and plateaux
  Inflorescence : usually branched, five to eighteen flowered tall, slender, up to 1 metre
  Flowers : variable, large, perianth long, narrow, erect, pale to deep cream, sometimes pale yellow, the outer lobes often pink to reddish on reverse.
  Leaves : two to three, basal, narrow, shorter than the inflorescence
  Flowering time : September to December
  Distribution : Clanwilliam south to the Peninsular to Caledon
  patens Ait. var. linearifolia G.J Lewis
• patens Ait var. patens
• paucifolia G. J Lewis
  pauciflora : with a few leaves
  Plants grow on flats and slopes in hilly and mountainous regions and on plateaux
  Inflorescence : simple or branched, slender, up to 30 cm.
  Flowers : three to eleven, white or cream-colored, the outer lobes sometimes pale- mauve, pale or deep pink on the outside. The perianth tubes long and narrow.
  Leaves : usually three, the lowest sometimes falcate.
  Flowering time : September to November, occasionally to January at high altitudes
  Distribution : Clanwilliam to Worcester and east to Ladismith and Laingsburg
  
• polystachya L. var. crassifolia G.J Lewis
• polystachya L. var. lutea(Ker-Gawl) G.J Lewis
• polystachya L. var. polystachya FP 25: 968
• pumilio Goldbl. & Snijman
  pumilo : little or small
  Plants grow in damp places in deep, sandy soils on flats and along stream banks
  Inflorescence : simple or branched, up to 25 cm., usually about 15cm., six to ten flowered
  Flowers : brick-red, with conspicuous veins
  Leaves : three or four, loosley twisted, shorter than the inflorescence
  Flowering time : August/September
  Distribution : Worcester
  
• purpureorosea G. J Lewis
• rapunculoides Del. var. flaccida G.J Lewis
  rapunculoides : resembling Rapunculus an obselete genus, meaning a little turnip - referring to the roots
  This is a variable species which grows on damp clay flats in colonies or small groups
  Inflorescence : 25 to 55 cm., branched, flowers sometimes open from the top downwards
  Flowers : pale blue or mauve, tube whitish to pale green
  Leaves : two, basal, somewhat falcate, shorter than the stem
  Flowering time : August/September
  Distribution : Kamiesberg, Calvinia, Nieuwdtville, Leliefontein, Middelpos, Moordenaarspoort
  
• rapuncuolides Del. var. namaquana (L.Bol.) G. J Lewis
• rapunculoides Del. var. rapunculoides
• rapunculoides Del. var. rigida G. J Lewis
• rapunculoides Del. var. robusta G.J Lewis
• rapunculoides Del. var subpendula G.J. Lewis
• rouxii G.J Lewis
• scillaris L. var. scillaris
  scillaris : like a Scilla
  Common names : vlieer, weeskinders, agretjie
  Plants grow in sandy and clay soils on flats and rocky mountain slopes
  Inflorescence : simple or branched, up to 50 cm.
  Flowers : seven to twenty five, fragrant, pink to magenta, occasionally white, anthers pendulous
  Leaves : up to 25 cm.
  Flowering time : August to November
  Distribution : from Springbok to the Cape Peninsular to Caledon
  
• scillaris L. var. subundulata G.J Lewis
• splendida G.J. Lewis
• stohriae L. Bol.
• stolonifera G.J Lewis
• stricta (Eckl. ex Klatt) G. J Lewis
• thomasiae Goldblo.
• trifolia G. J Lewis FP 14 : 543
  trifolia : with two or three leaves
  Plants grow among karroid vegetation on flats and hills.
  Description : Inflorescence simple or usually branched, up to 30 cm., five to nine flowered.
  Flowers : deep pink, magenta, cyclamen-pink, with small, dark marks at base, anthers yellow
  Leaves : two, basal, up to 16 cm., the lowset being falcate.
  Flowering time : August to October.
  Distribution : Sutherland, Matjiesfontein, Lainsburg, Touws River.
  
• tripervata (Bak.) G. J Lewis
• vanzijliae L. Bol.
• versicolor G.J Lewis
• vinacea G. J Lewis
• viridflora Lam.
  viridflora : with green flowers
  common names : green ixia, groenkalossie
  This is one of the most spectacular of the Cape bulbs. The tall, wiry stems bear numerous large, long-lasting turquoise-green flowers with dark centres
  Plants are now rare and grow on bush-covered rocky slopes
  Inflorescence : simple, erect, up to 60 cm., usually 40 to 45 cm.
  Flowers : numerous up to about fifteen, bright turquoise-green with dark purplish-maroon to black centre and bright yellow anthers
  Leaves : narrow, erect, up to 30 cm.
  Flowering time : October
  Distribution : Clanwilliam to Tulbagh
  

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  REFERENCES

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  References :
  
  • Spring and Winter Flowering Bulbs of the Cape - Barbera Jeppe
  • Ixia Revision 1962 - Lewis
  • I.B.S.A South Africa Bulletin
  • Ixia Revision 1999 - Miriam de Vos
  
  

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