Iridaceae

Watsonia meriana var. bulbillifera

Common Names: Bulbil watsonia

Plant Form: Upright perennial herb. Size: Up to 2 m tall. Stem: Only narrow flowering stems. Leaves: 20-80 cm long, blade shaped. Tough, fibrous, with prominent midrib. Emerge from ground in fan like shape. Flowers: Curved, trumpet shaped, showy 5-8 cm wide. Usually orange but also red, pink or white. In opposite rows on flower stem. Fruit and Seeds: Egg shaped woody capsule 2-4 cm long, with 3 openings. Habitat: Roadsides, disturbed areas, grasslands, swamps, woodlands. Distinguishing Features: Produces bulbils on stems unlike other Watsonia species. Erect flower stems differentiate from Montbretia (Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora). Impacts: Forms dense colonies excluding native plants, loss of pasture productivity.