Leaf solitary, to 60 cm long, grey-green. Stem 2-8 cm tall with several spathes containing 4-6 flowers each. Perianth lavender, outer segments 14-18 mm long with a central orange patch and often with purple dots; spring.

Has become a minor weed in the winter-rainfall areas of southern Australia, but also an important food source for corellas and galahs.

Cape Province.

G. sisyrinchium (L.) Parl., Barbary Nut, from the Mediterranean has 1 or 2 leaves, to 50 cm long, green. Stem 10-35 cm tall with many spathes containing 2-6 flowers each. Perianth blue-violet; outer segments 25-30 mm long with white or yellow patches; spring.

Source: Cooke, D. (2005). Iridaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.