Lachenalia viridiflora

Lachenalia viridiflora

Family: Hyacinthaceae

It stands out due to the extraordinary blue-green color of its flowers. Its strap-like leaves are typically bright green and smooth, without the spots or stripes or bumps found on many Lachenalia species. However, plants of L. viridiflora can sometimes have spots, and occasionally also dome-like bumps, or pustules. The leaves are 5 to 10 cm, with the flower spike rising to as much as 15 cm, though sometimes the spike does not overtop the leaves.

Sowing instructions: Seeds are sown 3-4 mm below the soil surface in mid-autumn in the same medium recommended for mature bulbs. Take care not to sow too thickly to prevent the occurrence of damping-off fungi, and water the seedlings with a fine spray every few days. Germination of fresh seeds occurs within two to three weeks.

Locality: St Helena. Harvest: July 2024