Lachenalia carnosa Seeds - Indigenous Bulbs Seeds

Lachenalia carnosa Seeds

Lachenalia is a genus with bulbs in the Hyacinthaceae family found in Namibia and South Africa. There are around 110 species (80 of those are found in the Cape region.) Most of these have a dormancy period and grow new roots each year. Lachenalia carnosa is a Namaqualand species with two bright green ovate leaves with depressed longitudinal veins on the upper surface. Once known as L. ovatifolia this species has attractive small flowers in which the inner perianth segments are tipped with a broad magenta band.

The outer segments are a sort of dirty white with a tinge of pale blue at the base and green gibbosities. The leaves are different to many Lachenalia in that they are broader and have pronounced depressed veins running their whole length. This is one of the species that I give extra drainage to by increasing the quantity of sharp sand in the potting mix.