About Ixia abbreviata Houtt.
Ixia abbreviata Houtt. is also known by the synonym Ixia lutea. It is a perennial flowering geophyte that belongs to the genus Ixia, and grows in fynbos and renosterveld vegetation. This species is endemic to the Western Cape of South Africa, where its range extends from Citrusdal and Piketberg to Malmesbury, Paarl and Tulbagh. There are between 9 and 12 existing subpopulations of Ixia abbreviata Houtt., all of which are severely fragmented as a result of grain production and urban development. This fragmentation process is ongoing, so the threat to the species continues. The largest subpopulation is found on Elandskloof Mountain, north of Wellington. All other subpopulations contain fewer than 200 individual plants each.
