Babiana hypogaea Burch.
Indigenous

Morphological description

Plants acaulescent, 50-80 mm high, often growing in tufts with leaves up to 150 mm long. Stem subterranean or barely reaching above ground, simple or with short or vestigial lateral branches. Leaves linear to falcate or sword-shaped, often bent near base, sometimes inclined toward ground or evidently prostrate, lightly pleated, sparsely hairy to finely long-hairy, 25-150 x 1.5-3.0 mm, with firm tips. Spike usually arising below ground, 2- to 6-flowered; bracts 30-35 mm long, smooth, ± membranous below, green above ground level in upper 1/3, outer 25-50 mm long, inner as long or slightly longer, forked apically, attenuate. Flowers zygomorphic, greenish yellow to buff-coloured or ± white, flushed with light brown or blue-mauve outside, tepals darker in midline especially when dry, lower tepals marked with purple in lower half or reddish arrow-shaped marks near base and with dark reddish streaks in throat, strongly scented; perianth tube emerging from below ground level, cylindric, widening at throat, 30-40 mm long; tepals unequal, dorsal 35-42 mm long, lower tepals joined to upper laterals for up to 6 mm, forming a prominent lip, 30-35 mm long. Stamens unilateral; filaments 15-18 mm long; anthers 8-11 mm long. Ovary smooth, lower flowers of the spike shortly stalked; style dividing close to anther apices, branches ±3-4 mm long. From: Goldblatt, P; Manning, JC. 2020. Iridaceae of southern Africa. Strelitzia 42: 1-1159. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Stemless, cormous geophyte, 50-150 mm tall, occasionally branched. Leaves linear to falcate or sword-shaped, often inclined to prostrate, lightly pleated, sparsely to finely long hairy, exceeding the flowers. Flowers 2-6 in an underground spike, bilabiate, greenish yellow to buff, flushed brown to mauve outside, sweetly scented, perianth tube emerging from below ground, cylindrical, 30-40 mm long, dorsal tepal 35-42 mm long, ovary smooth, bracts membranous below, green above ground, smooth, inner forked apically, tips attenuate. Mainly June-Sept. From: Goldblatt, P; Manning, JC. 2013. Iridaceae. In: DA Snijman (ed.), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 2: The Extra Cape flora. Strelitzia 30: 94-124. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Diagnostic description

Both Babiana hypogaea and B. bainesii are acaulescent plants with the long-tubed flowers arising below the ground, but those of B. hypogaea have a tube 30-40 mm long and shorter, often sparsely hairy to almost smooth leaves, sometimes with inclined to prostrate blades. The blades are often visibly constricted and apparently flexible at the base, which suggests an inclined to prostrate orientation even when they appear upright in pressed specimens. In contrast, B. bainesii has larger, blue-mauve to violet flowers with prominent white markings on the lower lateral tepals edged in darker blue, as well as nearly erect, usually densely hairy leaves, mostly 15-25 mm long. The flowers also have a tube (40-)50-60(-70) mm long, contrasting with the shorter tube of B. hypogaea. The shortly stipitate ovary of B. hypogaea and B. bainesii are typical of species of several genera of Iridaceae with an inflorescence borne at or below ground level and occur in other acaulescent species of Babiana, notably B. sambucina. From: Goldblatt, P; Manning, JC. 2020. Iridaceae of southern Africa. Strelitzia 42: 1-1159. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Habitat

Mostly in red sand plains. From: Goldblatt, P; Manning, JC. 2020. Iridaceae of southern Africa. Strelitzia 42: 1-1159. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Red sand plains. From: Goldblatt, P; Manning, JC. 2013. Iridaceae. In: DA Snijman (ed.), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 2: The Extra Cape flora. Strelitzia 30: 94-124. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Distribution

Relatively widespread, extending from southeastern Namibia to Northern Cape and Free State, South Africa, where it occurs in Bushmanland and the Upper Karoo. From: Goldblatt, P; Manning, JC. 2020. Iridaceae of southern Africa. Strelitzia 42: 1-1159. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

SW Namibia and E of Springbok to Bushmanland. From: Goldblatt, P; Manning, JC. 2013. Iridaceae. In: DA Snijman (ed.), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 2: The Extra Cape flora. Strelitzia 30: 94-124. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Flowering time

June to September

Altitude

915 to 1280 m

Occurrence records map

This map contains point-based occurrences at different locations

iNaturalist: BODATSA: Data partners records:

Residence status

Occurrence in the Flora of Southern Africa (FSA) countries and South African provinces. Residence status indicates if a taxon is indigenous, endemic, naturalised or invasive in a specific region. This data is based on specimen records and literature

FSA

SA

BOT

NAM

ESW

LES

WC

EC

NC

FS

GA

KZN

LP

MP

NW

Absent

Indigenous

Endemic

Naturalised

Invasive

https://seis-sanbi.azureedge.net/anura/default/asset.do?preview=252834

Names and Sources

Accepted name
Babiana hypogaea Burch.
Synonym(s)

Babiana falcata G.J.Lewis


Babiana flavida G.J.Lewis


Classification

KINGDOM Plantae

SUBKINGDOM Phanerogamae

SUBFAMILY Crocoideae

TRIBE Ixieae

GENUS Babiana

SPECIES hypogaea

59 results for Babiana hypogaea Burch.

Specimen records

Barcode: PRE0992372-0 Collector(s) & number: Ndou, RV, 14 | 2017-5-10

South Africa, North West, Lokaleng next to railway (grazing area).

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0239465-0 Collector(s) & number: Giess, JWH, 12041 | 1972-5-17

Namibia, KEETMANSHOOP DIST.; CAROLINA FARM KEE 99.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0068430-0 Collector(s) & number: Leistner, OA, 3148 | 1963-7-21

South Africa, Northern Cape, KIMBERLEY; 4 MI. W. OF KIMBERLEY.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: SAM0021176-0 Collector(s) & number: Zeyher, s.n. | --

South Africa, Northern Cape, Namaqualand.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0068521-0 Collector(s) & number: Henrici, MGA, 3610 | 1943-9-11

South Africa, Free State, FAURESMITH DIST.; WAAGKOP; NEAR DAM.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG1569893-0 Collector(s) & number: Ebrahim, I., CR16476 | 2016-6-3

South Africa, Northern Cape, 3240_2020 Onder-Karoo on Ceres Road.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0272261-0 Collector(s) & number: Ellis, A, s.n. | 2011-8-29

South Africa, Northern Cape, Rocky outcrop on sandy plain, ±35 km N of Steinkopf along N7. 29°05'09.9" S; 17°51'21.1" E.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0068524-0 Collector(s) & number: Bryant, EG, J138 | 1920-8-16

South Africa, Northern Cape, HAY DIV.; KRANZKOP.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0062756-0 Collector(s) & number: Harris, NBG 852/50 | 1950-8-18

South Africa, Northern Cape, Kimberley.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0068429-0 Collector(s) & number: Marloth, HWR, 6457 | 1925-5-

South Africa, Northern Cape, GRIQUALAND WEST; POSTMASBURG.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0239716-0 Collector(s) & number: Giess, JWH, 12858 | 1973-9-9

Namibia, LUDERITZ DIST.; KUBUB LU 15 FARM.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0068428-0 Collector(s) & number: Marloth, HWR, 6035 | 1914-7-

South Africa, Northern Cape, GRIQUATOWN; ASBESTOS HILLS.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0068545-0 Collector(s) & number: Giess, JWH, 786 | 1959-8-12

Namibia, Karas, LUDERITZ DIST.; 4 MI. S. OF AUS ON ROAD TO SENDELINGSDRIFT.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0068426-0 Collector(s) & number: Acocks, JPH, 17664 | 1954-4-27

South Africa, Northern Cape, VICTORIA WEST DIST.; 12 MI. E. OF VICTORIA WEST.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0068526-0 Collector(s) & number: Hunter, L, 21 | 1920-7-

South Africa, Northern Cape, HAY DIV.; LANGBERG.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0068613-0 Collector(s) & number: Giess, JWH, 7009 | 1963-5-16

Namibia, Karas, WARMBAD DIST.; SPERLINGSPUTS WAR 25 FARM.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0068527-0 Collector(s) & number: Power, JH, PRE 36908 | 1947-9-

South Africa, Northern Cape, KIMBERLEY DIV.; PICARDI.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: SAM0021123-0 Collector(s) & number: McLea, 2654 | --

South Africa, North West, Transvaal. Rustenburg.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0271255-0 Collector(s) & number: Van Rooyen, MW, s.n. | 2011-8-

South Africa, Northern Cape, Vaalputs.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: SAM0021182-0 Collector(s) & number: Hutton, H, 1009 | 1895-4-

South Africa, Gauteng, Witwatersrand.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: SAM0004430-2 Collector(s) & number: Fogarty, JA, s.n. | 1912-7-

South Africa, Northern Cape, Kimberly.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0475281-0 Collector(s) & number: Anderson, ER, J3 | 1975-9-12

South Africa, Free State, FAURESMITH DIST.; GROENVALLEI FARM.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: SAM0052864-2 Collector(s) & number: Acocks, JPH, 8796 | 1938-6-24

South Africa, Northern Cape, Kimberley Div.

General notes: Red sandveld at Bulpan. Occasional.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: SAM0021178-0 Collector(s) & number: Brice, s.n. | 1896-8-

South Africa, Northern Cape, Hopetown.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0110052-0 Collector(s) & number: Comins, DM, 827 | 1954-4-27

South Africa, Northern Cape, VICTORIA WEST DIV.; 10 MI. E. OF VICTORIA WEST.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0068528-0 Collector(s) & number: Verdoorn, IC, PRE 36909 | 1925-8-21

South Africa, Northern Cape, KIMBERLEY.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0068520-0 Collector(s) & number: Burtt Davy, J, PRE 10719 | 1911-9-4

South Africa, Free State, BOSHOF DIST.; SMITSKRAAL.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0062757-0 Collector(s) & number: Barker, WF, 6671 | 1950-9-8

South Africa, Northern Cape, Namaqualand. 20 miles E. of Springbok on Pofadder road.

General notes: In sand. Buff outside with purplish keel. Deep purple inside, shading to buff at tips.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0062758-0 Collector(s) & number: Acocks, JPH, 17664 | 1954-4-27

South Africa, Northern Cape, Victoria West. 12 m E. of Victoria West Central upper Karoo of flats.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0144460-0 Collector(s) & number: Lavranos, JJ, 21225 | 1983--

Namibia, Witputz south.

General notes: Pressed ex hort 20 Jul 1984.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0068522-0 Collector(s) & number: Lambert, G, J25982 | 1951-9-1

South Africa, Free State, ALLANRIDGE.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0068525-0 Collector(s) & number: Curator Pretoria Bot. Garden, 3 | 1921-8-13

South Africa, Free State, BLOEMFONTEIN DIST.; BESTERSPUT.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: SAM0059796-0 Collector(s) & number: Dinter, MK, 2647 | 1912-4-

Namibia, South West Africa, Okakuyu.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0810149-0 Collector(s) & number: Phelan, AJ, 988 | 1990-8-28

South Africa, Northern Cape, Rooipoort Farm; NW corner of Rooipoort Farm.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0068425-0 Collector(s) & number: Acocks, JPH, 8766 | 1938-5-27

South Africa, Northern Cape, HERBERT DIST.; ORANGE RIVER; WEXFORD.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0068519-0 Collector(s) & number: Pica Survey, 12 | 1921-8-31

South Africa, Free State, THERONSKOP 757.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: SAM0052864-1 Collector(s) & number: Acocks, JPH, 8796 | 1938-6-24

South Africa, Northern Cape, Kimberley Div.

General notes: Red sandveld at Bulpan. Occasional.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: SAM0004430-1 Collector(s) & number: Fogarty, JA, s.n. | 1912-7-

South Africa, Northern Cape, Kimberly.

General notes: Sweetly scented.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0110051-0 Collector(s) & number: Leistner, OA, 2635 | 1961-8-20

South Africa, Free State, KIMBERLEY; 7 MI. NE. OF KIMBERLEY ON SAMARIA ROAD.

General notes: SKF 2912.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0861819-0 Collector(s) & number: Mannheimer, CA, CM1373 | 2001-5-15

Namibia, Omaheke,

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: SAM0021183-0 Collector(s) & number: Pegler, AM, 1111 | 1904-5-

South Africa, North West, Transvaal. Rustenburg.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0068427-0 Collector(s) & number: Story, R, 1152 | 1946-5-13

South Africa, Northern Cape, KENHARDT DIV.; ANGELIERSPAN FARM 40 MI. W. OF MARYDALE.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0711933-0 Collector(s) & number: Venter, HJT, 8928 | 1983-8-23

Namibia, Karas, LUDERITZ; AUS 10 KM S OP ROSH PINAH PAD.

General notes: Sandsloot langs pad. Blom roomwit met ligpers in keel en word geel na punt.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: SAM0059797-0 Collector(s) & number: Dinter, MK, 2251 | 1911-4-14

Namibia, South West Africa.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: LNBG$0001806-0 Collector(s) & number: Kluge, JP, 2629 | 1984-12-15

South Africa, Mpumalanga, Belfast Staatsbos.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0099355-0 Collector(s) & number: Smook, L, 10161 | 1998-3-4

South Africa, Northern Cape, NW of Kimberley; Near Koopmansfontein Agricultural Research Station turn off, on road to Kuruman.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0180525-0 Collector(s) & number: Thode, J, s.n. | 1912-1-

South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, Belfast.

General notes: Sandy grassy places towards waterfall. Flowers bright violet-blue.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: SAM0054047-0 Collector(s) & number: Lewis, GJ, 600 | 1939-3-24

South Africa, Northern Cape, Barkly West. Daniels Kuil.

General notes: Stony kopjie.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0526575-0 Collector(s) & number: Viljoen, AJ, 94 | 1976-8-25

South Africa, Free State, SANDVELD NATURE RESERVE; BULTFONTEIN 34.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0623997-0 Collector(s) & number: Kroon, NV, 10064 | 1981-1-3

South Africa, Free State, SASOLBURG DIST.; DUCKPOINT.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: SAM0026914-0 Collector(s) & number: Silk, E, 261 | -6-

South Africa, Northern Cape, Batharas. Kuruman.

General notes: Open veld. Common.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0357830-0 Collector(s) & number: Muller, DB, 1004 | 1972-8-23

South Africa, Free State, BETHULIE DIST.; TUSSEN-DIE-RIVIERE WILDPLAAS; VERLEGEN.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Observation records

Date: 5/23/2018 1:08:00 PM

Northern Cape, South Africa

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 4/21/2021 12:00:00 AM

Northern Cape, South Africa

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 8/9/2022 11:19:36 AM

Free State, South Africa

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 5/20/2017 12:00:00 AM

Northern Cape, South Africa

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 5/8/2024 6:00:00 PM

Northern Cape

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 5/15/2024 3:51:34 PM

Free State, South Africa

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 9/11/2024 1:29:00 PM

Northern Cape

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Plant occurence records per dataset

Plant occurence records per year

Occurrence records map

This map contains point-based occurrences at different locations

iNaturalist: BODATSA: Data partners records:

2020

SERIES

Iridaceae of southern Africa Goldblatt, P; Manning, JC

Strelitzia 42: 1-1159

South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria

2017

SERIES CHAPTER

Iridaceae Retief, E; Meyer, NL

In: E Retief & NL Meyer (eds), Plants of the Free State: Inventory and identification guide. Strelitzia 38: 934-956

South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria

2013

SERIES CHAPTER

Iridaceae Goldblatt, P; Manning, JC

In: DA Snijman (ed.), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 2: The Extra Cape flora. Strelitzia 30: 94-124

South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria

2004

PERIODICAL/JOURNAL

Taxonomic notes and new species of the southern African genus Babiana (Iridaceae: Crocoideae) Goldblatt, P; Manning, JC

Bothalia 34: 87-96

No results found for Babiana hypogaea Burch.

No assessment available

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