The dodo lily as Cyrtanthus brachyscyphus is sometimes commonly referred to, grows in summer rainfall moist grasslands or on stream banks in KwaZulu-Natal or the Eastern Province. The red tube flowers and hollow flower stems are typical of the Cyrtanthus genus. Several Cyrtanthus species flower best shortly after veld fires.

C. brachyscyphus has smaller flowers than some of the more spectacular relatives, but makes up for that by being easy to grow. Blooming happens through spring and summer. In picture the seed-head with ripening fruits is to be seen next to the flowerhead. Note the widening flower tubes and the zigzag corolla lobe pattern (www.pacificbulbsociety.org).