Baboon root, Baboon flower
Babiana fragrans

Family: Iridaceae

What it is like

A small herb that keeps growing from year to year. It has a corm. It grows 20 cm high and spreads 15 cm wide. The stem is erect. The leaves are stiff and sword shaped. They are hairy and ribbed. The flowers are funnel shaped and have 6 petals. They can be lilac to red.

There are about 60-80 Babiana species. Most are in South Africa.

Where it is found

It is a temperate to subtropical plant. It grows in light to medium well drained soils. It does best in an open sunny position. It is frost tender and sensitive to drought.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, South Africa (country/location of origin), Southern Africa, Tasmania

How it is used for food

The roots are eaten after boiling.

Edible parts

Corm, bulb, root

How it is grown

Plants are grown by division.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Babiana disticha Ker Gawl.; Babiana plicata Ker Gawl.; and others