natural herbs
Sparaxis bulbifera

Herb latin name: Sparaxis bulbifera

Family: Iridaceae (Iris Family)

Edible parts of Sparaxis bulbifera:

The bulbous tubers are edible. No further details are given in the reports.

Description of the plant:

Plant:

Corm

Height:

60 cm
(2 feet)

Flowering:

April
to May

Habitat of the herb:

Sandy or rocky slopes at low altitudes.

Propagation of Sparaxis bulbifera:

Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse in a light potting mix. The seed usually germinates freely within 6 weeks but the seedlings are liable to damp off so make sure you give them plenty of ventilation. It is best to sow the seed thinly so that it is not necessary to prick out the seedlings in their first year of growth. If necessary, give them some liquid feeds during the growing season. Divide up the small bulbs when the plants have become dormant at the end of the first growing season. Grow them on for at least another year before planting them out. This species often flowers in its second year from seed. Division of offsets. This is best done when the dormant plant is lifted in summer. Larger bulbs can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller bulbs and grow them on in a cod frame for their first year, planting them out when dormant in late summer. Bulbils. These are freely produced on the flowering stem. Pot them up when they start to fall off the plant, keep them fairly dry until November, then water them lightly through the winter.

Cultivation of the herb: