About Aristea cantharophila Goldblatt & J.C.Manning
Aristea cantharophila Goldblatt & J.C.Manning is a perennial herb species in the genus Aristea. It is endemic to a small area of Western Cape Province, South Africa, located southeast of Cape Town. Its type locality is in the Hottentots Holland Mountains, near Sir Lowry's Pass. This species currently faces serious threats, and conservation efforts have been planned for it. Aristea cantharophila grows up to 30 centimeters tall, and forms tussocks that reach up to 12 centimeters in diameter. Most of its leaves are basal, very thin, and sword-shaped. They are gladiolate, meaning they are folded so that one edge points toward the stem. The flowers range from pale purple to white, and have a dark purple center.
