Cameron & Rhoda McMaster's

Moraea elegans

On 13 August 2025 we came across a population of the very rare and
localised Moraea elegans.  We found these in the Napier district on a gentle slope below a drain from nearby arable fields and road.

The population consisted of a large number of vigourous plants in all stages, but was confined to a small area  (30 x 40m) which benefitted from the
runoff from the drainage channel.  The habitat was therefore seasonably moister than the surrounding renosterveld and would possibly have received more nutrients leached from the arable fields above it.  It was interesting to observe the variations in colour from green through orange to brown
markings.