Description :

• Perennial, deciduous, large, bulbous herbs
• Bulb ovoid to globose, scales imbricate, loose, somewhat spatulate
• Leaves 1-4; usually developing after flowering; linear; apex acuminate; clasping at base
• Inflorescence a tall, lax raceme of 12-20 flowers; peduncle firm; bracts acuminate, at least lower ones usually spurred, each with a small linear bracteole beside or above it, falling early
• Flowers green or brown with white transparent margins; nocturnal, open for one night only; scented; pedicels spreading, apex recurved
• Tepals fused only at base, linear, reflexed at anthesis
• Stamens 6, arising at base of tepals; filaments outcurved from base, then connivent, then erect and arcuate in upper half; anthers oblong, versatile, introrse, opening by longitudinal slits
• Ovary ovoid; ovules many; style terete; stigma capitate
• Fruit an erect, oblong, deeply 3-lobed capsule
• Seeds flat, ovate, winged, black, shiny, papillate
• x = 10 (1 report)

Classification Notes:

• Thuranthos has been placed under Drimia by Jessop (1977), but because of the unique and specialised anther filaments is retained as a separate genus by other authors

Nomenclature:

• Thuranthos C.H.Wright
  • Wright: 233 (1916a)
  • Wright: t. 8680 (1916b)
  • Dyer: t. 1439 (1964)
  • Stirton: 161 (1976)
  • Obermeyer: 139 (1980)
  • Roessler: 341 (1987)
  • Kativu & Drummond: 112 (1994)
• Drimia Jacq. in part
  • Baker: 442 (1897)
  • Jessop: 269 (1977)
• Urginea Steinh. in part
  • Phillips: 306 (1917)

Distribution & Notes:

• Global : Species 4, southern Africa to Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Zambia;
• Southern Africa : Species 3., rare but widespread, Namibia, Botswana, Northern Province, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Lesotho, Northern and Eastern Cape
  • Habitat is very variable and includes stony koppies, grassland and vleis

Additional Notes:

• The lower part of the anther filaments has been described as a lantern with longitudinal slits