About Romulea hirsuta (Steud. ex Klatt) Eckl. ex Baker
Romulea hirsuta is a cormous plant that reaches a full height of 6–30 cm (2.4–11.8 in). Its stem can grow entirely underground, or reach up to 20 cm (7.9 in) above ground. It produces between two and six basal leaves, which typically grow along the stem; these leaves have four grooves and may be ciliate. Its symmetrical, bell-shaped corm has a fibrous basal rim. The species produces unscented flowers during August and September. Most flowers are pink or red, and often have darker markings around the yellow central cup. Tepal lengths range from 15 to 35 mm (0.59 to 1.38 in). A coppery orange population of this species grows in mountains between Clanwilliam and Hermanus, and its flowers do not have the darker central markings found in other populations. The flowers of this species may resemble those of Romulea triflora. This species is endemic to the Western Cape of South Africa, where it is widely distributed across the region, growing between Clanwilliam and the Agulhas Peninsula. It prefers sandy and granite substrates, but can sometimes be found growing on clay. Romulea hirsuta is insect-pollinated, and is most frequently visited by monkey beetles. In Darling, two key pollinators are Lepisia rupicola, a monkey beetle species, and an unidentified species of colletid bee. Lepisia rupicola visits the flowers more often, while the unidentified colletid bee carries a higher pollen load.
