The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

Species

Lachenalia bulbifera

Common Name(s)

'Crimson Joy'

Authority

Lachenalia bulbifera (Cirillo) Asch. & Graebn.

Family

Hyacinthaceae

Brief Description

"Lachenalia bulbifera is a deciduous, winter-growing geophyte up to 0.3 m high. The subterranean storage organ is a shallow or deep-seated, fleshy, flattened bulb surrounded by membranous outer tunics. It produces one or two narrowly or broadly egg-shaped, fleshy, suberect leaves that may be plain green or heavily spotted or blotched with dark brown or purple on the upper surface."http://pza.sanbi.org/lachenalia-bulbifera In New Zealand, wild plants have unspotted (plain green) leaves. The leaves emerge in April-May and flowers appear June-July, with a few in August or even September. One established in light soils (sand or fine gravels), this species can form large dense patches, to 5 m diameter or more. It also persists in loose stone walls and crib walls.

Flora Category

Vascular - Exotic

Structural Class

Monocotyledonous Herbs

Flower Colours

Orange,Red / Pink

Year Naturalised

2000

Origin

Western Cape, South Africa

Reason for Introduction

Ornamental

This page last updated on 19 May 2018