Romulea Hirta

Romulea hirta is a compact South African corm from damp clay and dolerite flats of the north-western Cape mountains. Pale yellow flowers are often marked by a soft reddish-brown or greenish-brown zone above the throat, while the narrow leaves have four pronounced longitudinal wings that help distinguish the species. It sets seed freely and can flower comparatively quickly from sowing. Its subtle colouring, unusual leaf structure and neat 5-20 cm stature make it an absorbing alpine-house subject rather than a distant display plant.