Ferraria Densepunctulata -South African Bulb - 5 Seeds

Ferraria Densepunctulata - South African Bulb - 5 Seeds

Ferraria is a genus of 11 species of monocotyledonous flowering plants in the family Iridaceae, native to tropical and southern Africa. They are herbaceous corm-bearing plants growing to 30-45 cm tall. Some species have an unpleasant scent similar to rotting meat and are pollinated by flies, while others have a pleasant scent. The genus name is a tribute to 15th century artist Giovanni Ferrari.

Found on rocky sites, mostly coastal, in the northwestern and southwestern Cape. It has pale greenish grey flowers with crisped edges spotted with maroon or purple dots and narrow cylindrical lower green leaves. From a distance, the flowers are dull-looking, but are densely patterned and freckled when examined up close. It is an early bloomer, blooming May to July in South Africa.