Description History & Interesting Facts:

Sparaxis is a genus of flowering plants in the Iris family (Iridaceae), called the” harlequin flowers”, but it also goes by other common names like: “Cape Buttercup”, “Sparaxis”, and “Spogfluweeltjie”.  The genus has 16 species, all of which occur only in the winter rainfall regions of the Cape Province, and are therefore called “endemic” to this region.

Sparaxis forms part of the Greater Cape Floristic Region, and Sparaxis elegans is endemic to the Western Cape, occurring from the Bokkeveld Plateau in the north-west, and extending southwards for approximately 25km into the Nieuwoudtville area. The more common salmon-pink form occurs in the northern part of its range in the Nieuwoudtville area, and the white-flowered form occurs to the south, mainly in stands of pure white, but sometimes mixed with the pink form.

The plants are found on nutrient rich, light or heavy clay soils in Renosterveld, a term used for one of the major plant communities and vegetation types of the Cape Floral Kingdom. Essentially, Renosterveld used to support   the large animals found here, but these are now extinct, or have been reintroduced. Fynbos is much richer in plant species, but has such poor soils that it cannot support even low densities of big game.

Renosterveld is an evergreen shrub-land which mainly comprises of species in the daisy family with a wealth of grasses, annuals, herbaceous perennials, and an extraordinary array of geophytes like Sparaxis. Geophytes are plants with underground storage organs, where the plants hold energy and water. Commonly called “bulbs”, geophytes are far more diverse than that, and include plants with tubers, corms or rhizomes. Sparaxis elegans is a geophytic perennial which holds energy and water in its corms during the hot, dry summer season, sprouting and growing when the rains return in autumn and winter, flowering in spring and going completely dormant once again in summer.

This little bulb was introduced to Europe in the 1780’s and is still loved and cultivated there for its vibrant little cut flowers.  Sparaxis elegans was given this Latin name, because of the elegance of its little open-faced flowers, and it remains a very popular garden ornamental that is grown worldwide.

At home, although it is still quite common in its natural habitat, it is threatened by habitat degradation and fragmentation, and has been classified as ‘Near Threatened’ on the South African Red List. The nutrient-rich clay soil on which it grows is the most productive agricultural land on the Bokkeveld Plateau, resulting in 77% of its habitat already being lost, and the greatest known threats to the species include overgrazing by livestock, and the loss of its habitat due to agricultural disturbances.

Sparaxis has a rounded corm as its main underground rootstock, measuring 10 to 17mm in diameter, with a fine, fibrous outer coating. The plant produces five to nine lance shaped leaves that emerge in a fan shape, and garden cultivars grow about 30cm tall. It has simple flowering stems that carry a spike of three to five star-shaped flowers which are predominantly salmon-pink or white, although other colour variants can be found in areas of co-occurrence. The flowers have a purple centre, and a distinctive ring of yellow and black markings surrounding the throat of its short funnel-shaped tube. The blooms lack any perceivable scent.

The male reproductive parts (stamens) are very distinct for Sparaxis elegans, and the purple filaments display anthers that are S-shaped and tightly curled around the style, and this is not seen in any other member of the genus. It’s also the only species that produces dark purple to brown pollen, while the pollen of other species is typically yellow to white.

For such a small genus, the pollination systems within Sparaxis are unusually diverse, and it is known that the hopliine beetle (Peritrichia rufotibialis) pollinates Sparaxis elegans, and the tabanid fly, (Philoliche atricornis) also frequents the species, possibly in search of minute traces of nectar. When conditions for cross-pollination are not met, Sparaxis is also able to produce seeds via self-pollination. Because it is both self and cross pollinated, it is referred to as a self-compatible species with a bimodal pollination system.

The species are also inter-fertile, and hybrids between Sparaxis elegans and Sparaxis grandiflora have produced dozens of beautiful garden hybrids over the years, and today we can buy these little cut flowers in colourful mixtures, in shades of pink to salmon and red, orange, and white.

At the end of the flowering period, which ranges from August to September, the plants yield fruits that split soon after drying to release small round, glossy red seeds.

Uses:

Apart from horticultural value, Sparaxis, in general, has not been used for any commercial purpose.

In the Garden:

Sparaxis have earned their popularity because of their ease of growth and the riot of colour they bring to mixed flower beds  in spring. To experience the full effect of their radiant colours, plant them in bold groups of 25 or more. They are also very effective planted in the pockets of rock gardens that can be kept dry in summer.

If space is limited, grow them in pots, and don’t forget to cut the long lasting blooms to bring a bit of spring indoors. 

Cultivation/Propagation:

In South Africa, Sparaxis corms are available from March through mid-June, depending on the where you live, and suppliers like Hadeco sell them online, and will also ensure that garden centres receive them when the planting time for that specific region is ideal. Generally they are planted out in May or June, to flower anytime from August to October, depending on the region and planting time.

Sparaxis elegans will not tolerate temperatures that drop below 0°C for extended periods, and the plants prefer full sun, but will take some shade. Although they do well in a range of different soil types, including poor soils, they thrive in well-drained loam or nutrient-rich clay soils. Prepare the planting beds by digging them over well, and incorporating some compost or other organic matter. Store the corms in a cool, dark place until planting time, when the weather and the soil have cooled down considerably.

Plant the corms 7 to 10cm apart and 5cm deep and water well, keeping the soil moist but not soggy until shoots appear. In pots the corms are planted closer together. Continue to water regularly throughout winter, and when the plants are in bloom, but after flowering the soil must be left to dry out completely in order for the corms to ripen.  In the winter rainfall regions the corms can stay in the soil for long periods, as long as they are planted in regions of the garden they will not receive much watering along with the rest of the summer garden.

Because the soil should remain relatively dry throughout the summer months, if you are growing Sparaxis in summer rainfall regions, the corms are usually lifted and discarded and new ones purchased each season, but if you wish to keep them they can be lifted and stored.

If you are growing Sparaxis in containers, they can be moved away from excessive rainfall or watering in summer, but in pots overcrowding may occur and lifting and dividing the corms will eventually become necessary. To ensure perfect drainage, plant in a fertile potting soil that is light and a bit sandy, and ensure that you feed regularly during the growing season for the best results.

Feeding with a speciality bulb food like Hadeco Bulb Food, will give your bulbs all the nutrients they need. The solution has been specially formulated by Dutch flower bulb growers, and promotes the development of strong roots for vigorous foliage, as well as nutrients to ensure abundant flowers. It is easily applied by simply sprinkling lightly over the top of the soil and watering it in. Feed immediately after planting and then at monthly intervals throughout the growing season, and for the best results apply during the cool of the day. The composition of Hadeco Bulb Food makes it ideal to use on all blooming plants, including annuals and perennials, so I feel it is well worth purchasing if you love flowers of all kinds.  Any other liquid plant food for flowers will also be fine.

Although most gardeners usually thrown the plants and corms away after winter to make space for summer bulbs. If you have space and wish to propagate, it’s easily done in autumn by separating the cormlets from the larger parent corms, or by sowing seeds. Remember that the corms must be kept dry in summer, and some seedlings will flower after one year, but not all will, and you may have to wait two seasons before all the seeds sown, or small corms, reach flowering size.

Seeds or corms are usually sown or planted out into rows in garden beds and allowed to grow throughout the season until the foliage dies down. The little cormlets can then be removed from the soil and sorted by size. Those that are large enough can be re-planted in beds to flower next spring, and the remainder are replanted in rows for another season of growing.

Problems, Pests & Diseases:

In the wild these plants are hardy and seldom attacked by any pests or diseases, but in the garden watch out for slugs and snails who relish the foliage, and porcupines which are known to eat the corms.

The most likely problems that may occur are those caused by too much water in summer. The corms are subject to fungal rotting if not kept dry when the plants are dormant.

Warning:

I did not find Sparaxis elegans listed as toxic to humans and pets, but always advise parents to supervise small children in the garden and to discourage pets from chewing on plants.