ABSTRACT
The genus Sparaxis consists of some six or fewer species, with S. grandiflora Ker-Gawl. and S. tricolor Ker-Gawl. being horticulturally important. Sparaxis is distinguished from the more popular Ixia by being more dwarf and compact and having fewer flowers on a flowering stem; however, the flowers are sometimes larger. The various species are perennial spring-flowering herbs native to the steppes of South Africa. The leaves are basal and attached to a corm. Flowers of S. grandiflora have 2.5-cm-long perianth segments that are oblong or obtuse with whitish or yellow stamens. Flowers of S. tricolor have 2.5-cm-long perianth segments with yellow anthers. The species S. tricolor has flowers which are dark purple or yellow tinged with brown-purple, or white with purple, white with yellow at the throat, and with dark blotches at each of the perianth bases. The flowering stems are wiry, and with S. grandiflora and S. tricolor the stems are simple and usually unbranched.
