Generic name is an anglicised version - "Babianer" - of the Afrikaans 'bobbejane'.
Vernacular Dutch 'baviaantjie', or its Cape corruption 'bobbejaantjie' for small baboons.
(baboons are partial to the corms). (M, Le)
Babiana ambigua (La) Common Babiana (Wf) Location: (F, P)
aambigo, = to go about or around; to wander about; to waver, hesitate, be undecided, to doubt, be in suspense.
ambiguus = going about, hither and thither; uncertain, doubtful. (ld, BL)
purpureus, = purple-coloured, purple;
-eus, = indicates material or colour or resemblance in quality.
(purple ‘dull red with a slight dash of blue’) (LS, ld, BL)
stringo, stringere, strictum, = to draw tight, to bind or tie tight; to draw, bind, or press together.
(drawn close together, very upright, very straight) (ld, BL)