Lachenalia aloides (opal flower) is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae,[1] native to the Western Cape of South Africa. It is a bulbous perennial growing to 15–28 cm (6–11 in) tall by 5 cm (2 in) broad, with strap-shaped spotted leaves and fleshy stems bearing pendent tubular yellow flowers, red at the tips, in winter and spring.[2] The Latin aloides literally means "aloe-like";[3] though L. aloides, despite its similarity, does not belong to the same family of plants as aloes.

Lachenalia aloides
L. aloides var. aloides (Curtis's Botanical Magazine)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Scilloideae
Genus: Lachenalia
Species:
L. aloides
Binomial name
Lachenalia aloides
(L.f.) Engl.[1]

Numerous cultivars have been bred for garden use. They require a sheltered, frost-free position or under glass. The following have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:

  • L. aloides var. aurea[4]
  • L. aloides var. quadricolor[5]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "Lachenalia aloides", World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, retrieved 2012-12-21
  2. ^ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
  3. ^ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.
  4. ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Lachenalia aloides var. aurea". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  5. ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Lachenalia aloides var. quadricolor". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 20 May 2013.