©Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Family
Iridaceae
Botanical Name
Babiana
Plant Common Name
Baboon Flower
General Description
The genus Babiana comprises some 80 species of tender, herbaceous, summer-dormant perennials that grow from fibrous-coated corms. Most Babiana are native to winter-rainfall regions of far-southern Africa, typically occurring in rich clay soils. In gardens Babiana species and hybrids are grown for their sprays of colorful flowers that typically open in late winter or spring.
These members of the iris family produce clumps of narrow, lance-shaped leaves that are usually hairy and pleated. The leaves arise in fall or winter from globular, deeply buried corms that typically grow at a depth several times their width. The top of the fibrous corm "tunic" often forms a protruding "neck." The leaves wither away in spring. Compact, simple or branched spikes appear in late winter or spring, carrying several to many rounded or two-lipped, six-lobed, fragrant or unscented blooms that are typically blue or purple but may be red, yellow, orange, or white. The flowers of many Babiana species and hybrids have an iridescent sheen or boldly contrasting markings. The flowers are followed by small rounded to oblong seed capsules. Self-sowing may occur in favorable climates.
Babiana are charming little garden "bulbs" for regions that have dry summers and mild, relatively moist winters. They tolerate desert conditions but do poorly in hot humid climates. Plants perform best in ample sunlight and well-drained, moisture-retentive soil. In areas with cold winters, the corms can be dug in fall and replanted in spring for late spring or summer bloom. Spring bulb catalogs sometimes offer corms of Babiana for planting as summer-blooming annuals.
Characteristics
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Sunset Zone
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Bulb or Corm or Tuber
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun
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Bloom Time
Early Spring, Spring, Late Winter
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Native To
Southern Africa, South Africa
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Yellow, Red, Blue, Purple, Orange, Violet, Blue Violet
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Fruit Color
Tan, Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Fine
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
