Is this Dietes grandiflora?

[johnralphcarpenter]

Is this Dietes grandiflora?

[Maggi Young]

Style branches look quite little - and I'd expect a bit more yellow marking - but if the flower persists for a couple of days or so, then I'd think it is, yes.

[johnralphcarpenter]

Could be another Dietes species?

[Maggi Young]

Minor chance of being Dietes iridioides - it's flowers are fleeting, according to the PBS Wiki.

[Anthony Darby]

We have both species growing in flower beds around car parks and other places. As Maggi says, the larger grandiflora flowers remain open for a few days, whereas iridioides only last a day. I can get seeds of both. Less frequently planted is the yellow Dietes bicolor, but there are some not far from us. I was going to check for seeds on one clump at a road junction, but the strimmed it to ground level. Six months on and they are just about flowering again. Seems to be habit, strimming Dietes beds. No idea why, as it doesn't improve them in any way.

[Maggi Young]

Seems to be habit, strimming Dietes beds. No idea why, as it doesn't improve them in any way.

Probably because some dimwit has complained that the area is "messy" - that seems to be the case here, anyway.  Areas left to naturalise with meadow plants and which look lovely, and give great habitiat for wildlife  are moaned about constantly as being  "messy, untidy, a disgrace"  - perm any complaint you like!
Luckily municipal funds are so tight for maintenance that these moans are not always successful in getting the areas mowed - but all too often they are.  Makes me ratty  - well, more ratty than usual!

[Anthony Darby]

Could be that they were told to strim the tall grass round the edges of the car park and couldn't tell the difference.

[johnralphcarpenter]

Flower lasted around 36 hours, so probably grandiflora?

[Maggi Young]

Flower lasted around 36 hours, so probably grandiflora?

 That would be my guess.