WATSONIA ALETROIDES

This member of the Iridaceae family was given this name by John Bellenden Ker Gawler in 1801. It is found in southern South Africa, growing in a well drained clayish soil with some water and some to lots of sun. The corm can grow to 2,5 centimetres in diameter, the entire plant to 45 centimetres in height. The flowers are coral red, but can also be pink, mauve and white. The genera is named after Sir William Watson, 1715–1787, a British physician and scientist who was born and died in London. His early work was in botany, and he helped to introduce the work of Carolus Linnaeus into England.

The species name means 'like Aletris ' for the leaves. This is a winter grower. Habitat photo by Cameron McMaster, Africanplants.senckenberg.de.