Description :

• Geophytes
• Corms asymmetrically ovoid, covered by thin, dark brown tunics; new corms developing a basal bulge, with tunics forming a downward fold below, through which roots appear
• Shoot usually forming a sheathing neck below ground, scapose above
• Leaves ± 6, distichous, linear, canaliculate, sheathing, upper merging into bracts
• Flowers in a scorpioid, 1-7-flowered cyme; pedicels with discoid, scalloped apex
• Perianth segments free, erect, yellow inside, purple at base, red outside, deciduous
• Stamens arising from claw, shorter than segments; anthers versatile, introrse
• Ovary cylindric, with many ovules; styles 3, short, falcate, laterally stigmatose
• Capsule cylindric, trigonous, septicidal
• Seeds globose
• x = 11

Nomenclature:

• Baeometra Salisb. ex Endl.
  • Salisbury: 330 (1812)
  • Endlicher: 136 (1836)
  • Baker: 522 (1897)
  • Adamson: 202 (1950)

Distribution & Notes:

• Southern Africa : Species 1: Baeometra uniflora (Jacq.) G.J.Lewis, Western Cape
  • Reported as poisonous to cattle