Hesperantha falcata

Hesperantha falcata. Cormous geophyte up to 30cm. Leaves sword-shaped to falcate (sickle-shaped), 3-5, only half as long as the flowering stems. Flowers 3-8 per spike, white or cream, outer tepals flushed red, pink or brown on the outside. Perianth tube straight, 4-9mm long, tepals spreading; bracts green, sometimes flushed with red. Flowers are sweetly fragrant in late afternoon and evening when open. Sowing : Seed is sown in autumn, thinly, in deep (min. 10 cm) seed trays, to allow for root development. The soil medium should be well drained, a recommended mix being 2 parts sand : 2 parts compost : 1 part loam or equal parts sand and compost, and the seeds should be planted 3-4 mm deep, covered with clean sand and kept moist and lightly shaded. Locality: Elim. Harvest: December 2023