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Watsonia knysnana Seeds
South African Indigenous Perennial Flowering Bulb
Watsonia (Bugle Lily) is a genus of plants in the iris family, subfamily Crocoideae, native to South Africa. The genus is named after Sir William Watson, a British botanist. There are 52 species in southern Africa; all are perennial herbs growing from corms and producing erect spikes of showy flowers, and are adapted to a Mediterranean-type climate. The most common species in cultivation is the pink-flowered Watsonia borbonica and its white mutant 'Arderne's White'. These were crossed with Watsonia meriana and other species in the early 20th century by breeders including John Cronin in Australia and Luther Burbank in California to produce a wide range of cultivars. Watsonia has been eclipsed in popularity by Gladiolus and other bulbs. Watsonia knysnana is found on sandstone slopes and flats, especially at forest edges in the Eastern Cape. It is tall with sword-shaped leaves in a fan and red, purple or pink flowers in a wide tube. It flowers late spring to summer.