Karoo Froetang

Romulea monadelpha is a low geophyte of 15–30 cm (5.9–11.8 in) high, with a subterranean stem that grows from a corm with a rounded base, which has a tunic with curved acuminate teeth. Its three to five thread-like leaves grow directly out of the soil and are 1–2 mm (0.039–0.079 in) in diameter, and have four grooves along their lengths. Its flowers sit individually at the tip of a flower stalk (or pedicel) and are subtended by two bracts that both mostly have brown papery margins. The outer bract usually has one keel on the upper side and a narrow papery margin, the inner bract has two keels with a wider papery margin. The trimerous flowers are without scent, burgundy red with elaborately colored blotches with black and cream in the cup, but the population around the Gannaga Pass population has salmon colored flowers and large black and light grey markings. The six tepals are oval and may be slightly indented at the tip, 2½–4 cm (1–1.6 in) long. The three filaments are oblong in shape and are firmly pressed together or even fused to form a column of 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) long, mostly without hairs and topped by 1–1½ cm long anthers. When the fruit is ripe, the flower stalk is curved. The flowers of this species can be found in August and September.

Comparison with related species. …

Romulea monadelpha exclusively grows on dolerite clay in the western Karoo near the escarpments. It is only known to be pollinated by the monkey beetle Clania glenlyonensis.