Harlequin flower

Ixia tricolor Schneevoogt, Icon. Pl. Rar., plate 39. 1794

Plants 10–40 cm. Corms tunicate; tunic with fine, whitish fibers. Leaves several, ± reaching base of spike. Spikes: spathes pale brown with darker brown streaks, subequal, dry, crinkled, outer with entire or lightly lacerate margins, inner forked apically. Tepals bright orange, yellow in center, with heart-shaped yellow mark in proximal 1/3, outlined distally with dark reddish brown band, lanceolate, subequal, 25–33 mm; perianth tube funnel-shaped, ca. 8 mm; stamens symmetrical; filaments contiguous, 6–7 mm; anthers yellow, linear, 8–9 mm; style slender, branching opposite anthers; branches 1–2 mm, expanded apically.

Flowering Mar--Apr. Near gardens, dump sites, abandoned dwellings; 0--100 m; introduced; Calif.; s Africa (winter-rainfall region).