Wurmbea is a genus is the Colchicaceae family from sub-saharan Africa and Australia. The rootstock is a corm and flowers are star or trumpet-shaped. Many of them are pollinated by flies and are therefore sometimes unattractively scented.
Wurmbea elatior is found in marshes or streambanks in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It has white flowers with shiny deep red to purplish black marks in the middle of the tepals. Photo by Cameron McMaster.
Wurmbea marginata is found on mostly clay or loam in the renosterveld. It is red or purple with darker margins and foul smelling. Photo by Cameron McMaster taken in habitat in Napier in the Overberg.
Wurmbea recurva Grown and photographed by Mark Mazer. The inflorescence is about 6cm in height. This is a South African species from the northwest and southwest Cape where it is found on damp gravelly slopes in the renosterveld. It blooms in spring and has a honey scent.
Wurmbea spicata is found on mostly clay and granite slopes in renosterveld in many areas of the Cape Province, South Africa. Photo by Cameron McMaster taken in the Komsberg.
Wurmbea variabilis is found on sandy flats in the western Cape, western Karoo and the Eastern Cape (South Africa). It has greenish or cream flowers with purple nectaries and sometimes purple margins and an unpleasant smell. Photos by Cameron McMaster taken in habitat in the Overberg.
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