Chasmanthe floribunda is a species of flowering plant in the iris family which is known by the common name African flag. This plant is endemic to Cape Province in South Africa, but it has been introduced to other areas of similar climate, and is considered to be naturalized in California, Algeria, Australia, Argentina, and St. Helena.

Chasmanthe floribunda is a perennial herbaceous plant sprouting from a corm and producing clumps of long, narrow leaves. It erects one thin, tall stem which may approach a meter in height. Atop the stem is a spike inflorescence holding 20 to 40 flowers in neat vertical rows. The flower is a curving tube with a long upper lobe curving down over smaller lobes. From the mouth of the flower protrude the stamens with their large, hanging anthers, and the style. The flower is generally bright orange-red or scarlet on the upper lobe and yellow to orange in the lower lobes.

Chasmanthe floribunda

Chasmanthe emerges from the ground in autumn in the Western Cape, South Africa, after the first winter rains. It is frequented by sunbirds, which feed on the nectar it provides at this time of year. It flourishes and flowers in both sun and shade.

Chasmanthe floribunda

Varieties

Chasmanthe floribunda var. duckittii G.J.Lewis ex L.Bolus

Chasmanthe floribunda var. floribunda – Yellow cobra lily

References

External links

Jepson Manual Treatment

USDA Plants Profile

Photo gallery

Iridaceae

Endemic flora of the Cape Provinces

Garden plants

Plants described in 1812

Taxa named by N. E. Brown

Taxa named by Richard Anthony Salisbury

Chasmanthe floribunda