Babiana /ˌbæbiˈænə/[2] is a genus of flowering plants in the family Iridaceae composed of about 80 recognized species. The majority of these species are endemic to the Cape Provinces of South Africa, especially Namaqualand, as well Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.[1][3]
The genus name is derived from the Dutch word baviaan, referring to the Chacma baboon, Papio ursinus, that consumes the corms of plants in the genus.[4]
One species, Babiana stricta, is widely cultivated as an ornamental.[2]
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