Communitree closed operations in 2022; this is an archived website. Read more

Browneye Capestar


Browneye Capestar

Spiloxene canaliculata

Scientific name

At the height of the Cape's spring season, species of the genus Spiloxene offer flower seekers fine displays of brilliant, floral stars.

Plants 100-350 mm tall; corm with a cap of short, hard bristles. Leaves 2-5, recurved, 2-4 mm wide, U-shaped in cross-section, margin bearing minute teeth when young. Flower 1 per scape; tepals 25-45 mm long, orange to yellow with a dark purple, non-iridescent centre, backs with reddish stripes; bract 1, long, green, tightly sheathing the pedicel. Seeds J-shaped. Flowering July to October. Localised on seasonally wet, clay flats near Darling.

References and further reading

PlantZAfrica profile »

Image credit: © Tony Rebelo
Seedbank Quantity
Tin Capsule Seedbank 310
Total 310
Nursery Quantity
Mother Nursery 40
Total 40

Important characteristics

Conservation status: Endangered

This species was selected because it has various important characteristics.

It provides food for:

Monkey beetle

Spiloxene canaliculata is indigenous to: Cape Flats Sand Fynbos

Communitree Newsletter

Receive our monthly updates in your mailbox

Our sponsors

We thank our 2019 sponsors for their support in our work. If your company or organisation wants to help support Communitree, click here to get in touch.