Lachenalia aloides

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
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
  1. "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.
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