Sparaxis grandiflora aka Plain Harlequin Flower

Sparaxis grandiflora belongs to the iris family, Iridaceae. It is a perennial, so it lives for more than two years. Its common name is plain harlequin flower. It comes from the western southwest and southwest Cape of South Africa. Kew places it in a subtropical climate. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. It grows from a corm, a store of food underground. It sheds its leaves when it rests.

The plant grows upright and has a narrow spread. Garden plants reach about 0.3–1.6 feet (0.1–0.5 metres) tall. They spread about 0.3 feet (0.1 metres) wide. Each leaf can reach about 1 foot (0.3 metres) long. Flower stems reach about 1.5 feet (0.45 metres). The RHS says plants reach full size in one to two years. Their small size suits the pot uses the RHS lists.

Flowers grow in spikes in spring and summer. Each bloom has a funnel shape and six reddish-purple petal lobes. The spikes stand above the plant on upright stems. The RHS lists this species for patios and pots. It also lists it for Mediterranean-style gardens. Its profile includes plants grown in a conservatory or greenhouse. The evidence gives no details about this species' fruit. Nor does it say which parts are edible or whether it is toxic.

The RHS lists full sun and a site sheltered from wind. The site should face south or west. Under glass, give good light but shade from hot sun. Use a peat-free, loam-based pot mix. Add sand and leaf mould, and ensure water drains well. The plant suits acid, neutral, and alkaline soils. Plant corms in autumn, about 0.7 feet (0.2 metres) deep. Keep plants cool and give little water as they grow. Give less water as blooms fade. Then keep the corms fully dry while they rest.

The RHS gives this species a UK hardiness rating of H2. It copes with low heat levels but cannot survive a freeze. This limits outdoor use in places with frost. Remove old flower stems, but let leaves die back unaided. Sow ripe seed in pots in a cold frame. You can also remove offsets while the corms rest. These are small new corms that grow from the parent. The RHS reports few usual pest or disease problems. It names no pests or diseases for this species.