Lachenalia bulbifera, syn. L. pendula, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to the Western Cape of South Africa. It is a bulbous perennial growing to 30 cm (12 in) tall by 5 cm (2 in) broad, with strap-shaped spotted leaves and fleshy stems bearing pendent tubular orange or red flowers 3 cm long, in winter and spring.[1] The Latin bulbifera literally means "bulb-bearing",[2] and refers to the plant's habit of producing bulblets, which can be separated from the parent plant and grown on.

Lachenalia bulbifera
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Scilloideae
Genus: Lachenalia
Species:
L. bulbifera
Binomial name
Lachenalia bulbifera

This plant requires a sheltered, frost-free position, or it can be grown under glass. The species[3] and its pink-flowered cultivar 'George'[4] have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

References

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  1. ^ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
  2. ^ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.
  3. ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Lachenalia bulbifera". Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  4. ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Lachenalia bulbifera 'George'". Retrieved 16 June 2013.
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