Ornithoglossum viride - (L.f.) Aiton (in habitat)
Colchicaceae

ornithoglossum_viride.JPG (27536 bytes)

Distribution: Found  throughout Namaqualand and elsewhere in South Africa.

Description: A perennial herb with a corm.   The lanceolate leaves are entire, variable and with a sheathing base

Flower: The green flowers (2.5 cm in diameter) with purplish margins are borne on long stalks in a loose head.

Point of Interest:  There are 5 spp of massonia in SA of which 2 occur in Namaqualand.  The bulb is edible and the nectar is sweet.
Common Names:  Groen Spinnekoppie (Afrikaans), Green Spider.
Photographer:  A.J. Van Wyk