Moraea macrocarpa

Moraea macrocarpa, one of many Moraea species called tulp, is a cormous perennial that only reaches about 12 cm in height annually in its above ground, deciduous parts.

The flowers are several shades of violet or blue, sometimes white with conspicuous yellow and white nectar guides on the outer three tepals. Dark blue or violet lines may radiate outwards beyond these nectar guides. The inner tepals are smaller and unmarked, also with rounded tips. In the case of the flower in the photo they also twist variously, as if to hide their tips. The style is branched and erect, coloured like the tepals, covering the stamens.

The flowers arrive in spring. Individual flowers are short-lived. 

The specific name, macrocarpa, is derived from the Greek words makros meaning large and karpos meaning fruit, referring to the comparatively large, oblong capsule.

The species distribution is in the southwest of the Northern Cape from Nieuwoudtville to the north west of the Western Cape as far as Worcester. 

The habitat is dry fynbos and succulent Karoo in deep sandy soil. The habitat population is deemed of least concern early in the twenty first century (iNaturalist; www.pacificbulbsociety.com; http://redlist.sanbi.org).