Tritonia gladiolaris in stony Barrydale veld
Author: Ivan Lätti
Photographer: Thabo Maphisa
This stand of nearly white Tritonia gladiolaris flowers was seen in October near Barrydale. Commonly yellow or cream tepalled, the pencil lines on the corollas may vary in intensity on both surfaces of the tepals.
T. gladiolaris features in traditional medicine, relating to the treatment of infants. There is no reason why these plants should not also be welcomed into many South African gardens.
In nature it is a versatile species, growing in karoid conditions as well as in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal (Manning, 2009; Pooley, 1998; iNaturalist).