A Crocus it is not...

[Rogan]

This little crocus-like plant, a Hesperantha species (H. baurii or H. schelpeana?), covers the stony ground like confetti at high altitude (above 3000 metres) in Lesotho.

At first sight it resembles Rhodohypoxis baurii var. confecta which also occurs in these areas, but on closer inspection reveals its true identity.

Lesotho is experiencing somewhat of a drought at the moment so I was amazed to see these flowers in such abundance.

[Paul T]

Rogan,

Is that really a Hesperantha?  Wow!!!!!    Never seen one like it before.  Looks great.

[David Nicholson]

Very nice. I have some one year old seedlings of Hesperantha baurii looks as though they are going to be well worth the wait.

[Carlo]

Very sweet. I have a special fondness for plants that flower like this...just emerging from the ground before any leaf. What a life they have...

[Armin]

Interesting - the anthers like a crocus - but style is missing (not visible)

[tonyg]

A beauty it is! 
Have you more pictures Rogan?  I can imagine it in abundance but some pics would enhance the experience
Thanks for posting

[Lesley Cox]

A real little honey. More pics please Rogan.

[Gerdk]

This beautiful plant is a little bit similar to that what a friend found near the coast of Mallorca. He told me there are lots of crocus.
I had a phonecall with Thomas and he replied that it was impossible to find autumn flowering crocus at lower altitudes.
When my friend told me that his 'crocus' was pinkish I got it.
It was Colchicum filifolium (Merendera filifolia)!

Gerd

[Thomas Huber]

This beautiful plant is a little bit similar to that what a friend found near the coast of Mallorca. He told me there are lots of crocus.
I had a phonecall with Thomas and he replied that it was impossible to find autumn flowering crocus at lower altitudes.
When my friend told me that his 'crocus' was pinkish I got it.
It was Colchicum filifolium (Merendera filifolia)!
Gerd

Gerd, it is NOT impossible to find flowering Crocus at lower altitudes on Mallorca.
I found many on rocky limestone formations in 50m height, but they don't grow in sandy soil near the coast.

[Hans A.]

  -Thomas,  I was a bit surprised to read you might have told this....

[mark smyth]

Is Hesperanthe in the same family as Crocus?

[Gerdk]

Sorry Thomas, maybe it was because of the pic showing you in dizzy height 

Mark, like Crocus Hesperantha is Iridaceea.

Gerd

[Anthony Darby]

Definitely one for the wants list.

[David Nicholson]

Definitely one for the wants list.

Anthony, if you can wait a couple of years I'll send you some small bulbs (corms). 

[Boyed]

Rogan,

very interesting plant: something intermediate between crocus and colchicum. Thanks por posting.