Babiana stricta (Ait.) Ker-Gawl.
A similar plant to Babiana disticha Ker-Gawl., which see, with purple, blue, white or yellow unscented flowers or violet scented flowers. To 20cm. [CECB].
Horticultural & Botanical History
‘[Babiana stricta] differs from Babiana plicata in the greater regularity and uprightness of its corolla, in being slenderer, its leaves and stem much firmer and less villous, flowers smaller, differing in fragrance, which in this plant is weak but pleasant. […] Cultivated in 1757 by Mr. Ph. Miller.’ [BM t.621/1803].
History at Camden Park
Received per ‘Sovereign’ February 1831 as Gladiolus plicatus. [MP A2948-2]. Both Babiana disticha and B. plicata are marked with a ‘c’ in a copy of Loddiges’ 1836 catalogue meaning ‘grown at Camden’. The blue-flowered form, Babiana stricta caerulea, is marked with a crossed-out ‘c’ in a copy of Loddiges’ 1836 catalogue held at Camden Park. This probably indicates that it was grown in the gardens but perhaps later lost.
Notes
Published Oct 18, 2009 - 02:37 PM | Last updated Jul 23, 2010 - 11:43 AM
Family | Iridaceae |
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Category | |
Region of origin | South Africa, Cape district |
Synonyms |
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Common Name | Baboon root, Baboon flower |
Name in the Camden Park Record | Gladiolus plicatus |
Confidence level | medium |