Fauna
Plant

African Flag

Chasmanthe floribunda

Also known as African Cornflag, Pennants, Afgrense Flaggies

African flags produce dense, fan-like clusters of sword-shaped leaves that sprout rapidly from underground corms following autumn rains. In late winter and early spring, arching flower stalks bear striking, two-ranked spikes of tubular scarlet or orange blossoms designed for bird pollination. Native to coastal winter-rainfall slopes of South Africa, these resilient perennials have naturalized widely in Mediterranean climates around the world.

Winter-BloomingPerennialBird-Pollinated
African Flag reference1 / 7
(c) Jeremy Gilmore, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jeremy Gilmore · cc-by
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
  • Snails
  • Slugs
  • Aphis species
ThreatsHabitat clearance in native ranges and invasive species eradication efforts abroad
HabitatsFynbos, coastal granite slopes, stream banks, and Mediterranean-climate gardens
Life spanPerennial (corms persist for decades)
Classification
  1. FamilyIridaceae
  2. SpeciesChasmanthe floribunda
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Corms and foliage contain mild toxins causing stomach upset if ingested; keep away from pets.
Why it is dangerous
Ingestion of underground corms or leaf material causes gastrointestinal distress, vomiting, and mouth irritation in dogs, cats, and humans.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for fan-shaped clusters of bright green sword leaves and one-sided spikes of tubular orange-red flowers.
What to do
Wear gloves when planting or dividing corms and ensure pets cannot dig up the underground bulbs.
Responsible observation
  • Garden Placement: Plant corms in full sun or light shade in well-draining soil during autumn.
  • Pollinator Watching: Look for nectar-feeding birds visiting the long tubular blossoms in late winter.
  • Management: Deadhead flower spikes before seeds mature to prevent unwanted garden spread.
Related species
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