Gethyllis


Gethyllis spiralis
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Distribution: Africa: South Africa: Western Cape: Eastern Cape:


The following images are from Keurkloof Private Nature Reserve en route Paardepont south west of Oudtshoorn. The bulbs grow in a restricted area amongst grass and bushes in an area otherwise characterized by semi succulent Karoo vegetation.

The distribution of this remarkable bulb may perhaps be larger than stated above. The identification was done by Compton Herbarium.

The bulbs flower in late November after which time the development of the fruit proceeds underground. The ripe fruits are pushed out above ground in early April. Although Gethyllis spiralis is the only listed Gethyllis species from the Little Karoo, a bulb similar to Gethyllis villosa has also been identified. I hope to give more detail of this later.


Gethyllis spiralis Gethyllis spiralis Gethyllis spiralis Gethyllis spiralis
Flowers. Fruit. The leaves have varying degrees of spiralling.
Gethyllis spiralis



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