Namaqualand is an arid area in northwest South Africa. Although it is a winter rainfall area, rainfall is sparse and the plants found in this area are not included in some of the books illustrating South African bulbs since it is not considered to be part of the Cape Floral province. For most of the year, the land appears to be a desert and because it has an average annual rainfall of 50-400 mm it could be classified as such. But in a year with adequate rainfall it becomes alive with an amazing floral display of annuals, bulbs, dwarf shrubs, and succulents. Flowering usually occurs in August and September, but dry winds which halt the display can end it sooner. In a year with little rainfall there are few flowers. Summers are hot and dry but there is occasional fog since the ocean is not that far away. Photos on this page were taken in Namaqualand. More information about the plants seen on this page can be found on the wiki genus pages. Links are included to make it easier to go directly to these pages. Species from G-I, Gethyllis to Ixia, are pictured below.
Gethyllis britteniana leaves photographed by Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue Ittner September 2006.
Gladiolus arcuatus photographed September 2006 in Namaqua National Park by Mary Sue Ittner
Gladiolus equitans was photographed in Namaqua National Park in August 2001 just after a rain by Mary Sue Ittner and in September 2006 by Bob Rutemoeller in seed. It was also photographed in the Kamiesberg by Andrew Harvie.
Gladiolus kamiesbergensis grows in rocky sites in shrubby fynbos in the Kamiesberg. Photos taken by Andrew Harvie.
Gladiolus orchidiflorus is found on clay and sandstone soils from Namibia to Cape Flats and also to Free State and flowers in the spring. Photos 1-2 were taken by Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue Ittner September 2006. Photos 3-4 were taken near Carolusberg by Cameron McMaster September 2011.
Gladiolus saccatus Growing alongside the road and photographed August 2001 by Mary Sue Ittner
Gladiolus scullyi is found on silty clay and granite slopes in the northern winter rainfall areas. Photos 1-2 taken September 2006 by Bob Rutemoeller. Photos 3-4 taken by Cameron McMaster near Carolusberg September 2011.
Haemanthus crispus photo taken of the leaves by Mary Sue Ittner September 2006.
Haemanthus graniticus is found in coarse and granitic soils along seasonal watercourses in mountain renosterveld. Photo 1 taken by Andrew Harvie in the Kamiesberg. Photo 2 taken September 2011 by Cameron McMaster.
Hesperantha bachmannii The photos below were taken September 2006 by Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller.
Hesperantha latifolia Photos taken September 2006 by Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue Ittner. The last one also features Romulea citrina.
Hessea breviflora grows in sandy pockets between rocks on lower slopes. The first photo was taken by Rob Scott near Springbok in Namaqualand. The other photos from Alan Horstmann.
Hessea incana Snijman is known from only three sites in the Kamiesberg where it occurs in colonies in sandy plains in granite-derived soil. Photos were taken by Alan Horstmann in the Kamiesberg in November.
Hessea pilosula grows in deep coarse sand in the Springbok area. Photos by Alan Horstmann.
Hessea stellaris grows on sandy or clay flats from the northwest Cape to the western Karoo. Photo was taken by Alan Horstmann in May.
Hessea stenosiphon is a species of the Northern Cape. Photo taken in the Kamiesberg by Alan Horstmann in May where it grows in winter-moist, humus-rich soils in boulder crevices and rock depressions.
Holothrix aspera is found in deep sandy soils or rock pavements from Namaqualand and the western Karoo to Swellendam, South Africa. Photos taken September 2011 near Carolusberg by Cameron McMaster.
Ixia latifolia var. ramulosa grows in sandy soil. It has purple or mauve flowers. Photo taken in Namaqua National Park September 2006 by Mary Sue Ittner.
Namaqualand A-F - Namaqualand L-M - Namaqualand O - Namaqualand P-Z - Namaqualand Index