Chasmanthe is a genus in the Iridaceae family endemic to South Africa where it is found in bush or forest margins from the Western Cape to Transkei. The rootstock is a corm that roots from below. There are three species. Although similar in appearance to Crocosmia and Tritonia, dna data shows it is most closely related to Babiana. Itis in the tribe Croceae along with the last two genera and 11 others. Information about this genus can be found in Goldblatt, Manning, and Dunlop, 2004, listed in References.
Chasmanthe aethiopica is found mostly in the winter rainfall zone of South Africa from the western Cape along the southern coast to the Eastern Cape. Plants grow in coastal bush and along forest margins. This species is shorter than some of the others with a spike that is seldomly more than 20 inches (50 cm.) The bright orange to scarlet flowers with a yellow tube on the underside are on an unbranched stem that is inclined horizontally. The flowers face to one side. The orange seeds are fleshy when first exposed. The first two photos by Cameron McMaster taken in Napier in the Overberg and the second two taken of a form found in the Eastern Cape.
Chasmanthe bicolor is endemic to the Western Cape. It has an erect spike with orange scarlet flowers with lower lateral green tepals and a yellow tube. Flowers face to two sides. It grows to 28-36 inches (70-90 cm.) and blooms midwinter to early spring. Photos by Mary Sue Ittner.
Chasmanthe floribunda grows on sandstone and granite in the northwest and southwest Cape. It can get to be quite large: 20-47 inches (50-120 cm.) high with orange-red flowers on a two-ranked erect spike. It flowers in spring. The first two photos by Bob Rutemoeller were taken in Northern California where it can be weedy (and the flowers can be eaten by deer too.) It can make quite a statement in a landscape however. The next two were taken in South Africa near Brackenfell, August 2006, by Mary Sue Ittner.
A variety in cultivation, named var. duckittii, originated from a plant or colony near Darling in the 1920s. It has pale yellow flowers. Authors in the book cited above argue that it is not different enough for variety status, but is certainly worthy of cultivar status. Photos taken by Mary Sue Ittner September 2006 at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden where it was growing next to the parking lot.
