Bobartia indica aka Bobartia Indica

Bobartia indica, or rush iris, belongs to the iris family. It comes from the southwestern Cape of South Africa. Kew places it in a subtropical climate. In the wild, it grows on sandy slopes and flats. These sites lie below about 1,640 feet [500 metres]. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. The RHS lists Bobartia spathacea as a synonym.

This evergreen perennial has an upright form and grows slowly. It reaches about 2 feet [0.6 metres] in height. Its spread is about 0.7 feet [0.2 metres]. The tough leaves look like rushes and stay year-round. Below ground, the plant has rhizomes that settle deep into soil. Its narrow form suits garden beds and borders. People also use the strong leaves to weave baskets.

The flowers are yellow and about 0.16 feet [0.05 metres] across. Each bloom lasts just one day. Plants For A Future lists flowering from March to October. Chicago Botanic Garden gives a shorter season, from May to October. These records suggest that flowering dates vary with growing conditions. Each flower has both male and female organs. Bees visit the flowers and provide pollination.

Give rush iris full sun rather than a shaded site. It needs sandy or gritty soil that drains well. Poor soil can support it, including strongly acid ground. It also accepts neutral and mildly alkaline soils. Plants For A Future describes a preference for moist winters and dry summers. Its wider soil moisture range runs from dry to moist. The supplied Chicago record gives its water needs as moderate. Avoid excess rain and protect plants from severe frost. Plants For A Future flags temperatures below about 23°F [-5°C]. Chicago lists USDA hardiness zones 7–10, so local winter conditions matter.

Plants For A Future records autumn division as a propagation method. Its seed guidance is tentative rather than based on species-specific trials. It suggests sowing fresh seed under glass when ripe. For stored seed, it suggests sowing in early spring. Young plants should spend their first winter under glass. Plant them out in late spring. The source lists no known food or medicinal uses. It also reports no known hazards, but this does not establish safety. It does not flag the plant as weedy.