Baboon Flower Babiana stricta
ABOUT
Babiana stricta, commonly known as Baboon Flower, is a striking and vividly colored plant. It has sword-shaped leaves that are arranged in a fan-like pattern, emerging from corms that lie beneath the soil's surface. The leaves are typically a grayish-green hue, providing a nice contrast to the bright blossoms. The flowers of the Baboon Flower are what truly draw the eye, coming in shades that can range from deep blue and violet to sometimes pink or even white, each with a throat marked by contrasting colors and often highlighted with a yellow or white center. These blooms are densely clustered on spikes, and each individual flower resembles the shape of an iris, showcasing six petals with the upper ones often displaying a more arched shape than the lower. While in bloom, the Baboon Flower presents a showy and striking display in the garden that attracts not only human admirers but also serves as a beacon for pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Despite the exclusion of its size in this description, Babiana stricta adds a burst of color and unique texture to any garden setting where it is planted.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Iridaceae
Synonyms
Baboon Flower, Stick Babiana
Common names
Babiana angustifolia, Babiana plicata, Gladiolus strictus, Ixia plicata
ToxicityTo humans
Baboon flower, commonly known as Babiana stricta, does not have widely recognized or significant toxicity to humans. While ingestion of any plant material may cause some individuals to experience digestive discomfort or an allergic reaction, Baboon flower is generally considered non-toxic. If any part of the plant is ingested and adverse symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea occur, medical attention should be sought.
To pets
Baboon flower is not typically listed as toxic to pets. However, it is always advisable to prevent pets from ingesting plants, as individual animals might have sensitivities or allergic reactions. If a pet does ingest Baboon flower and exhibits signs of gastrointestinal upset or unusual behavior, it would be prudent to consult a veterinarian.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Varies
Height
0.5 feet (15 cm)
Spread
0.5 feet (15 cm)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
8
Native area
South Africa
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Value: Babiana stricta, commonly known as Baboon Flower, is valued in gardens for its striking, colorful flowers that add aesthetic appeal to landscaping.
- Attracts Pollinators: The blooms of Baboon Flower offer nectar and attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators which are essential for a healthy garden ecosystem.
- Drought Resistance: Baboon Flower is native to South Africa and is well adapted to dry conditions, making it a suitable choice for drought-tolerant gardening practices.
- Low Maintenance: This plant typically requires minimal care once established, thus lessening the need for continued gardening efforts and resources.
- Bulb Propagation: Babiana stricta propagates through bulbs, which can be easily divided and shared, making it cost-effective for gardeners wanting to expand their plantings.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Baboon Flower bulbs can be used in traditional African cooking methods, where they are placed directly on coals to be baked as a starchy food source.
- The corms of Baboon Flower are sometimes used in South Africa as a charm to bring good luck in love and fertility.
- Baboon Flower, being a resilient and hardy plant, is ideal for rock gardens to provide a splash of color among the stones.
- The flowers can be used in dye production, providing a natural colorant for fabrics and textiles.
- In floral arrangements, Baboon Flower can provide an exotic and unique look with their vibrant, showy blooms.
- Baboon Flower can be used in educational settings to teach botany and plant biology, due to its ease of growing and interesting characteristics.
- Dried Baboon Flower blooms can be used in potpourri mixtures to add fragrance and color to a room.
- The plant can be incorporated in themed gardens, such as South African or Mediterranean landscapes, to provide authenticity and diversity.
- Baboon Flower's decorative value extends to crafting, where the flowers can be used in dried floral crafts and wreaths.
- Ground cover: The plant can serve as an attractive ground cover in gardens, spreading over the season and providing foliage and blooms across the soil.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Baboon Flower is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Baboon Flower is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Resilience: Babiana stricta, commonly known as Baboon Flower, often symbolizes resilience due to its ability to survive in tough conditions in its native South African environment where it is adapted to dry, rocky soils.
- Attraction and Beauty: The Baboon Flower's vivid, striking blooms often represent attraction and beauty, as its showy flowers captivate the attention of both pollinators and human admirers alike.
- Uniqueness: With its unique shape and bright colors, the Baboon Flower can symbolize one’s uniqueness and the celebration of individuality.
- Overcoming Challenges: As a plant that emerges from a corm after a fire or during the brief rainy season, the Baboon Flower can represent overcoming challenges or flourishing after a period of adversity.
WaterBaboon Flower prefers to be watered when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. This might translate to watering approximately once a week, but frequency should be adjusted depending on environmental conditions such as heat and humidity. When watering, do so thoroughly, allowing the water to run through the drainage holes, ensuring even moisture throughout the potting mix. You might find yourself providing roughly 16 to 32 ounces of water per watering session, but always check the soil moisture level first. Reduce watering after the blooming period and allow the soil to dry out more between waterings as the plant enters its dormancy phase.
LightBaboon Flower thrives best in full sun to partial shade. Place the plant in a location where it will receive plenty of bright, indirect sunlight for at least six hours a day. Avoiding direct midday sun may help protect the leaves and blooms from scorching. A spot that gets the gentler morning or evening sun is often ideal for this plant.
TemperatureBaboon Flower prefers a temperate climate with ideal temperatures ranging from 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. It can tolerate a minimum temperature of around 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but frost can be detrimental, so it's important to protect it from cold snaps. During its growth and bloom period, maintaining moderate temperatures will promote the healthiest growth.
PruningPrune the Baboon Flower after flowering by cutting back spent flower stalks to maintain a tidy appearance and encourage future blooms. Division of the corms every few years can also rejuvenate and boost the plant's vigor. It’s best to prune and divide the plant in the fall when it has entered dormancy after the foliage has died back.
CleaningAs needed
SoilBaboon flower prefers well-drained soil with a mix of sand, loam, and organic matter. A soil pH of 6.0 to 7.5 is ideal for its growth, allowing for a slightly acidic to neutral range.
RepottingBaboon flower bulbs should be repotted every 2 to 3 years or when they become overcrowded in their current container.
Humidity & MistingBaboon flowers thrive in moderate humidity but are tolerant of low humidity typical of most indoor environments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Use well-draining soil and place in bright, indirect light.
Outdoor
Plant in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade.
Hardiness zone
9-11 USDA
Life cycleBabiana stricta, commonly known as Baboon Flower, begins its life cycle as a corm, which is a short, vertical, swollen underground plant stem that serves as a storage organ. During its growing season in late winter to spring, green shoots emerge from the corm, leading to the development of sword-shaped leaves and the characteristic fragrant, colorful flowers for which it is known. Once pollinated, possibly by bees or other insects, the flowers produce seeds that can be dispersed to propagate new plants. After flowering, the plant goes dormant in summer, with the leaves dying back and the corm resting underground during the hot, dry months. In this dormant phase, it survives off the nutrients stored in the corm from the previous growing season. The cycle restarts when cooler, wetter conditions return, signaling the corm to resume growth and initiate the next season's cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring
Propogation: Babiana stricta, commonly known as Baboon Flower, is typically propagated by division of its corms. The best time to propagate Babiana stricta by corm division is in the late summer to early fall, after the foliage has died back and the plant is dormant. To propagate by dividing the corms, carefully unearth the clump of corms and gently separate them, making sure that each division has at least one growth point. These individual corms can then be replanted immediately, placing them around 2 to 3 inches deep (5 to 7.5 centimeters) and spaced about 3 inches apart. The soil should be well-draining, and the location should provide full sun to partial shade to ensure healthy growth in the following season.
