Stout rhizomatous clump-forming herb. Leaves perennial, linear, strap-like, blunt, to 70 cm. Inflorescence on stalks to 1 m tall. Flowers spreading; autumn. Tepals blue, lobes spreading.

South Africa

Stamens shorter than tepals.

Grown in gardens and public plantings often as a border plant in full sun.

subsp. orientalis (F.M. Leighton) F. M. Leighton Flowers less than 5 cm long.

Plants released under Plant Breeder's Rights include 'Black Pantha', 'Snow Cloud', 'Glen Avon', 'Lavender Haze', 'Regal Beauty', 'Cloudy Days', 'Snow Storm' and 'Silver Sword'.

subsp. praecox Flowers more than 5 cm long.

 

A. africanus (L.) Hoffm. from South Africa is a stout, rhizomatous clump-forming herb. Leaves perennial, linear, strap-like, blunt, to 35 cm. Inflorescence to 60 cm. Flowers spreading, 2.5-5 cm long; autumn. Tepals deep violet-blue, lobes spreading. Stamens shorter than tepals. Most plants grown under this name are A. praecox subsp. orientalis.

A. campanulatus F.M. Leighton from South Africa is a stout rhizomatous clumpforming herb. Leaves deciduous, linear, strap-like, blunt, to 40 cm. Inflorescence to 100 cm. Flowers 2-3.5 cm long, spreading; autumn. Tepals deep blue, lobes not widely spreading. Stamens shorter than tepals.

A. inapertus Beauv. from South Africa is a stout rhizomatous clump-forming herb. Leaves deciduous, greyish-green, linear, strap-like, blunt, to 70 cm. Inflorescence to 180 cm. Flowers to 5 cm long, spreading; autumn. Tepals bright blue to violet, lobes not spreading, flowers almost closed. Stamens equalling tepals. A. 'Blue Brush' is a hybrid between this species and A. praecox subsp. orientalis.

Source: Conran, J. (2005). Agapanthaceae. 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.