Babiana karooica is a rare endemic of the Little Karoo growing mainly between Oudtshoorn and De Rust.

The leaves and flowers look similar to the wider spread Babiana sambucina ,but  the plants are characterized by their earlier flowering period , late autumn and  winter.
 
The first two pictures were taken in late autumn some 10 km north of Oudtshoorn, while the third one was taken in early winter near Oudtshoorn.

Babiana karooica is propagated from seed which should be sown in a sandy soil.

Babiana sambucina is widely distributed and fairly common between Ceres and Port Elizabeth.

The winter growing bulbs can be confused with the rarer Babiana karooica from the Little Karoo, but the flowers are larger.

The bluish-purple flowers have variable red and white markings.

The leaves usually wilt when the bulbs are transplanted, but recuperate the next season.

Propagation is from seed.

Babiana sambucina in flower. Another image.