Romulea autumnalis L. Bolus

J. Bot. 69: 12 (1931); M. P. de Vos, J. S. African Bot., Suppl. 9: 203 (1972); Fl. S. Africa 7(2), fasc. 2: 50 (1983). — Type: Dyer 2414, South Africa, Western Cape, Grahamstown (lecto-, BOL!, designated by M. P. DE VOS, 1972).

Plant 15-35 cm, stem subterranean; corm with a small crescent-shaped basal ridge. Leaves 3-6, basal, filiform, narrowly 4-grooved, 1-2 mm diam.; outer bracts with narrow membranous margins, inner bracts with wide colorless membranous margins. Flowers pink to white with a yellow to orange cup, tepals elliptic, 18-30 mm long; filaments 4-10 mm long, anthers 6-8 mm long. Fruiting peduncles erect. Flowering: Apr.-July.

Romulea autumnalis occurs on grassy slopes in the Eastern Cape from Grahamstown toward Kariga. It is closely allied to the widespread African R. camerooniana but can be distinguished from that species by the short stamens and style which do not reach the middle of the perianth and are thus included in the floral cup. In R. camerooniana the stamens and style reach the top of the floral cup.