Morphological description

Plants 80-200 mm high. Corms deep-seated, 15-25 mm diam., tunics of coarsely netted fibres, extending into neck to 50 mm long, pale brown. Basal leaves ± 10-20, erect, filiform to linear, (40-) 50-100 x 0.5-3.0 mm, attenuate, leathery, bright green, glabrous. Inflorescence a highly congested, simple raceme such that flowers apparently solitary among leaves; pedicels suberect, (80-) 100-200 mm long; bracteoles either subbasal or inserted in upper half. Flowers enantiomorphic, facing outwards, white or pale pink or pale yellow, fragrant; tepals spreading, cucculate, outer elliptic, 12-20 x 5-7 mm, recurved-apiculate, inner ovate, 12-20 x 7-12 (-15) mm, acute, narrowed basally or shortly clawed, claw to 1 mm long. Stamens weakly dimorphic or sub-monomorphic, 5 + 1; filaments of posterior cluster 3-5 mm long, connate only at extreme base, awl-shaped, white, anthers 3.5-5.5 mm long, yellow, sometimes marked with black spot on upper surface near base, soemtimes adherent; anterior stamen with filament deflexed laterally, 3-4 mm long, awl-shaped, connate to upper cluster at extreme base, anther 4-6 mm long, yellow. Ovary half inferior; style laterally deflexed opposite lower stamen, 7-9 mm long, not extending beyond lower anther. Capsules erect, ellipsoid, 13-15 x 7-8 mm, 3-lobed. Seeds ovoid, ± 2 mm diam., rugulose. From: Goldblatt, P; Manning, JC. 2012. A revision of Tecophilaeaceae subfam. Tecophilaeoideae in Africa. Bothalia 42(1): 21-41. [CC BY]

Cormous geophyte, 120-250 mm tall. Leaves filiform-terete. Flowers in a contracted raceme on long, suberect pedicels up to ± 200 mm long, white or yellow to pale pink, fragrant, tepals 12-20 mm; anthers yellow, with or without dark spot, 5 upper and 1 larger lower, filaments free; strongly enantiostylous. From: Manning, JC. 2013. Tecophilaeaceae. In: DA Snijman (ed.), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 2: The Extra Cape flora. Strelitzia 30: 161-162. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Cormous geophyte, 12-25 cm. Leaves filiform-terete. Flowers enantiostylous, in a congested raceme thus apparently solitary on long, erect peduncles, white to pink or yellow, fragrant, with 5 upper and 1 larger lower stamen, filaments free nearly to base. From: Manning, JC; Goldblatt, P. 2012. Tecophilaeaceae. In: J Manning & P Goldblatt (eds), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape flora. Strelitzia 29: 255-255. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Diagnostic description

One of the easiest species to identify on account of its highly congested inflorescence axis with extremely elongate pedicels, the flowers thus apparently borne on 1-flowered peduncles rather than in a raceme. The raceme is never branched, and up to a maximum of 9 flowers are produced, thus very much fewer than in other species. The flowers are strongly enantiostylous, and either white to pale pink with uniformly yellow anthers, or pale yellow with maculate anthers. These colour morphs, which are geographically segragated, are correllated with the position of the bracteole on the pedicels, and are segregated as three subspecies. The large, ellipsoid capsule, 13-15 mm long, is unique in sect. Cyanella, resembling those of C, cygnea and C. orchidifromis in sect. Trigella. From: Goldblatt, P; Manning, JC. 2012. A revision of Tecophilaeaceae subfam. Tecophilaeoideae in Africa. Bothalia 42(1): 21-41. [CC BY]

Habitat

Restricted to clay soils in renosterveld shrubland. From: Goldblatt, P; Manning, JC. 2012. A revision of Tecophilaeaceae subfam. Tecophilaeoideae in Africa. Bothalia 42(1): 21-41. [CC BY]

Stony clay flats. From: Manning, JC. 2013. Tecophilaeaceae. In: DA Snijman (ed.), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 2: The Extra Cape flora. Strelitzia 30: 161-162. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Stony tillite and sandstone or clay slopes. From: Manning, JC; Goldblatt, P. 2012. Tecophilaeaceae. In: J Manning & P Goldblatt (eds), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape flora. Strelitzia 29: 255-255. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Distribution

The species has a scattered distribution along the western mountains in Western Cape, where it is known from the Bokkeveld Escarpment, the Cedarberg and Olifants River Mountains, and the base of the Swartruggens. From: Goldblatt, P; Manning, JC. 2012. A revision of Tecophilaeaceae subfam. Tecophilaeoideae in Africa. Bothalia 42(1): 21-41. [CC BY]

Bokkeveld Mountains to Cederberg Mountains and southern Tanqua Karoo. From: Manning, JC. 2013. Tecophilaeaceae. In: DA Snijman (ed.), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 2: The Extra Cape flora. Strelitzia 30: 161-162. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Bokkeveld Mtns to Karoopoort and W Karoo. From: Manning, JC; Goldblatt, P. 2012. Tecophilaeaceae. In: J Manning & P Goldblatt (eds), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape flora. Strelitzia 29: 255-255. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Flowering time

August to October

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

Names and Sources

Accepted name
Cyanella alba L.f.
Synonym(s)

47 results for Cyanella alba L.f.

Specimen records

Barcode: NBG1478595-0 Collector(s) & number: Helme, NA, 9044 | 2016-10-2

South Africa, Northern Cape, Bokkeveld; Quispberg 805; 1 km S of Papkuilsfontein Waterfall.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0210704-0 Collector(s) & number: Goldblatt, P, 12970 | 2007-9-9

South Africa, Western Cape, Worcester. Tankwa Karoo, 53.8 km from Ceres, flat rocky ground. 33°09'41"S: 019°45'02"E. 2297 ft.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0356416-0 Collector(s) & number: Goldblatt, P, 2536 | 1974-9-8

South Africa, Western Cape, CLANWILLIAM DIST.; BIDOUW VALLEY; NE. CEDERBERG

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0527543-0 Collector(s) & number: Hugo, L, 539 | 1976-9-15

South Africa, Western Cape, UITKYK PASS; BIDOUW VALLEY

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0088621-0 Collector(s) & number: Van Breda, PAB, 1413 | 1961-9-27

South Africa, Northern Cape, CALVINIA DIV.; RD. FROM NIEUWOUDTVILLE TO OORLOGSKLOOF

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0170259-0 Collector(s) & number: Pretorius, WAJ, 360 | 1996-10-10

South Africa, Northern Cape, Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve. 15km SSW of Nieuwoudtville. Farm Driefontein Kranskloof 792. Grid a6.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG1474460-0 Collector(s) & number: Brand, L, 5192 | 2013-12-5

South Africa, Northern Cape, Nieuwoudtville, HNBG, Gifbol trail, near the office.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0088620-0 Collector(s) & number: Schlechter, FRR, 8405 | 1896-8-4

South Africa, Western Cape, CLANWILLIAM

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0088618-0 Collector(s) & number: Acocks, JPH, 17263 | 1933-9-26

South Africa, Northern Cape, CALVINIA DIV.; LOKENBURG

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0478417-0 Collector(s) & number: Goldblatt, P, 10741 | 1997-9-12

South Africa, Western Cape, Clanwilliam: 10km South of Clanwilliam.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0088622-0 Collector(s) & number: White, F, 5389 | 1959-8-20

South Africa, Western Cape, WUPPERTHAL

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0676982-0 Collector(s) & number: Eliovson, S, PRE 61028 | 1985-9-

South Africa, Western Cape, WUPPERTAL.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0670664-0 Collector(s) & number: Snijman, DA, 905 | 1985-9-4

South Africa, Northern Cape, CALVINIA.; LOKENBURG FARM

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0095149-0 Collector(s) & number: MacOwan, P, PRE 38669 | 1897-10-

South Africa, Western Cape, CLANWILLIAM; PAKHUIS MT.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0356280-0 Collector(s) & number: Van Breda, 4276 | 1974-9-4

South Africa, Western Cape, CLANWILLIAM; BIDOUW FARM

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0088623-0 Collector(s) & number: Thompson, MF, 352 | 1967-8-24

South Africa, Western Cape, BIDOUW VALLEY; NEW GATE AT BUTTOM OF PASS TO BIDOUW VALLEY 7.1 MI FROM TURN OFF CALVINIA RD.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0835120-0 Collector(s) & number: Strid, PAK, 37906 | 1993-9-14

South Africa, Western Cape, Clanwilliam District: c. 5km North West of Wupperthal. 32° 15' S: 19° 12' E.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0088619-0 Collector(s) & number: Schlechter, FRR, 8686 | 1896-8-26

South Africa, Western Cape, BIDOUWBERG

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0088617-0 Collector(s) & number: Bolus, H, 9095 | 1897-10-4

South Africa, Western Cape, CLANWILLIAM; WUPPERTHAL; KOUDEBERG

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0475415-0 Collector(s) & number: Lewis, GJ, 6126 | 1962-11-4

South Africa, Northern Cape, VAN RHYNSDORP DIV.; VAN RHYNS PASS; S. SIDE OF PASS

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0111520-0 Collector(s) & number: Leighton, FM, 20777 | 1933-9-3

South Africa, Western Cape, CLANWILLIAM; BIDOUW BERG

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0547482-0 Collector(s) & number: McMurtry, DM, 514 | 1967-10-11

South Africa, Northern Cape, NIEUWOUDTVILLE; MEULSTEENVLEI FARM

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0088615-0 Collector(s) & number: Marloth, HWR, 7107 | 1915-9-

South Africa, Western Cape, WUPPERTHAL

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0521565-0 Collector(s) & number: Hugo, L, 539 | 1976-9-15

South Africa, Western Cape, UITKYK PASS; BIDOUW VALLEY

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0547481-0 Collector(s) & number: McMurtry, DM, 299 | 1967-8-16

South Africa, Western Cape, NAMAQUALAND; BIDOUW VALLEY

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0088614-0 Collector(s) & number: Hardy, DS, 792 | 1961-9-25

South Africa, Western Cape, CLANWILLIAM DIV.; 7 MI. FROM NIEUWHOUDTVILLE ON CLANWILLIAM RD.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0088616-0 Collector(s) & number: Leistner, OA, 312 | 1955-9-17

South Africa, Northern Cape, CALVINIA DIV.; LOKENBURG

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0519804-0 Collector(s) & number: Thompson, MF, 2902 | 1976-9-13

South Africa, Northern Cape, NIEUWOUDTVILLE; MATJIESFONTEIN; 15 KM. S. OF NIEUWOUDTVILLE ROLLING HILLS

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0248159-0 Collector(s) & number: Goldblatt, P, 13445 | 2009-9-13

South Africa, Western Cape, Worcester. Tankwa Karoo, 53.8 km from Ceres. 33°09'41"S, 019°45'02"E.

General notes: Alt. 2297 ft. Flat rocky ground. Flowers white, sweetly scented.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Observation records

Date: 9/26/2020 4:39:00 PM

Northern Cape, South Africa

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Barcode: WAG.1839188 | Collector(s) & number: Goldblatt P , Goldblatt, P 256 | 1974-08-08

South Africa

Data Resource: https://ror.org/0566bfb96 View record

Barcode: WAG.1839187 | Collector(s) & number: Goldblatt P , Goldblatt, P 3092 | 1974-10-16

South Africa

Data Resource: https://ror.org/0566bfb96 View record

Barcode: L.1463833 | Collector(s) & number: Unknown , Unknown s.n. |

South Africa

Data Resource: https://ror.org/0566bfb96 View record

Date: 10/1/2022 6:39:00 PM

Northern Cape

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 9/4/2022 3:21:00 PM

Northern Cape

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 9/26/2020 4:07:00 PM

Northern Cape

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 9/26/2020 4:34:00 PM

Northern Cape, South Africa

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 9/26/2020 12:40:00 PM

Northern Cape, South Africa

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 9/30/2022 2:31:00 PM

Northern Cape, South Africa

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 9/24/2020 1:23:13 PM

Northern Cape

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 9/24/2020 2:53:00 PM

Northern Cape

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 10/3/2020 10:36:00 AM

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:

2013

SERIES CHAPTER

Tecophilaeaceae Manning, JC

In: DA Snijman (ed.), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 2: The Extra Cape flora. Strelitzia 30: 161-162

South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria

2012

PERIODICAL/JOURNAL

A revision of Tecophilaeaceae subfam. Tecophilaeoideae in Africa Goldblatt, P; Manning, JC

Bothalia 42(1)21-41

2012

SERIES CHAPTER

Tecophilaeaceae Manning, JC; Goldblatt, P

In: J Manning & P Goldblatt (eds), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape flora. Strelitzia 29: 255-255

South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria

2005

PERIODICAL/JOURNAL

Eremiolirion, a new genus of sourthern African Tecophilaeaceae, and taxonomic notes on Cyanella alba Forest, F; Mannheimer, CA; Manning, JC

Bothalia 35(1&2)115-120

No results found for Cyanella alba L.f.

No assessment available

Part(s) of plant used Use(s) Reference

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