About Babiana melanops Goldblatt & J.C.Manning
Babiana melanops Goldblatt & J.C.Manning is a species of geophytic, perennial flowering plant belonging to the family Iridaceae. This species is endemic to the Western Cape of South Africa, where its range extends from Darling to Mamre and into the Tulbagh Valley. It grows as part of the fynbos and renosterveld vegetation types. The total area of occurrence for Babiana melanops is 5400 km², and the species is split into no more than ten subpopulations. The plant has already lost over 70% of its original habitat to crop cultivation. Remaining subpopulations face multiple threats: invasive plants, quarrying, excessively frequent fires, and the absence of the specialist insects required for its pollination.
