Lachenalia liliiflora 4357
Author: Nikolaus Joseph von Jacquin (1727-1817)Family: Asparagaceae Subfamily: Scilloideae Tribe: Hyacintheae Subtribe: Massoniinae
Genus: Lachenalia Subgenus: Lachenalia Section: Angustae
English name: Cape hyacinth
Zone: South Africa
Description
The epithet for this species refers to its funnel-shaped flowers reminiscent of the flowers of certain Liliums. Lachenalia liliiflora is endemic to a small area east of Cape Town extending from Tygerberg to Paarl and Somerset West. The species grows only in a plant formation known as Swartland Shale Renosterveld vegatation. This lachenalia is found in isolated individuals or in small groups in flats and seasonally moist west- and northeast facing slopes. Near Durbanville, Lachenalia liliiflora grows together with Lachenalia orthopetala, but no hybrid has yet been recorded. The species is protected in the Tygerberg Nature Reserve and De Grendel Farm, everywhere else populations are severely threatened by the growing expansion of agriculture, urbanization, eutrophication This plant is classified as endangered, in South Africa.
Lachenalia liliiflora Observed in South Africa by Fiona Hellmann (license)
Botanical Description
The whole plant measures 10-20cm and forms a round bulb 15-20mm in diameter, surrounded by a multilayered tunic and capable of vegetative propagation. Presence of a translucent white cataphyll, with obtuse apex and loosely surrounding the base of the leaves. The plant has two lanceolate, leathery leaves 50-100mm long and 9-25mm wide, suberect to spreading, and slightly canaliculate. Their upper side is dark green, smooth or covered with green pustules while the underside may be flushed with maroon. The base of the leaves is clasping, 15-20mm long. Inflorescence an erect, compact raceme, bearing about 20 flowers, with a short, sterile apex. The flower stalk measures 40-120mm in length, its color is usually that of the underside of the leaves. Presence of ovate bracts in the lower part of the inflorescence, the bracts gradually become lanceolate in the upper part. Zygomorphic flowers are tightly campanulate, white to pale pink. The apical gibbosities are brown, browngreen or purple. The stamens do not protrude or slightly beyond the tube of the perianth, they are straight and white as is the gynoecium.
Member of
The Genus: Lachenalia Subgenus: Lachenalia Section: Angustae having the following characters: Perianth slighcly to strongly zygomorphic, arising obliquely from the pedicel or rachis.
Perianth narrowly campanulate; tube cup-shaped, up to 3 mm long; outer tepals ovate; inner tepals obovate, radiating 45- 50° from the longitudinal axis; filaments straight. narrowly spreading or declinace, included to well exserted.
References
- PlantZafrica, Adam Harrower. Kirstenbosch NBG 2003. Lachenalia liliiflora
- The genus Lachenalia, Graham Duncan. 2012 pag. 328-330. ISBN
Member of
The Genus: Lachenalia Subgenus: Lachenalia Section: Angustae having the following characters: Perianth slighcly to strongly zygomorphic, arising obliquely from the pedicel or rachis.
Perianth narrowly campanulate; tube cup-shaped, up to 3 mm long; outer tepals ovate; inner tepals obovate, radiating 45- 50° from the longitudinal axis; filaments straight. narrowly spreading or declinace, included to well exserted.
References
- PlantZafrica, Adam Harrower. Kirstenbosch NBG 2003. Lachenalia liliiflora
- The genus Lachenalia, Graham Duncan. 2012 pag. 328-330. ISBN
References for the genus
- Growing and enjoying Lachenalia, Don Journet. Bulbs 2003 Vol. 6(1) pag. 24-33. Address
- A revision of Lachenalia (Hyacinthaceae) in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, Dold, AP and Phillipson, PB. Bothalia 1998 Vol. 28(2) pag. 141-149. Address
- A synopsis of the biosystematic study of the seven minor genera of the Hyacinthaceae, Alison Summerfield. Bulbs 2004 Vol. 6(1) pag. 24-36. Address
- Five new species of Lachenalia (Hyacinthaceae) from arid areas of Namibia and South Africa, Duncan, GD. Bothalia 1997 Vol. 27(1) pag. 7-15. Address
- Five new species of Lachenalia 2 (Hyacinthaceae) from arid areas of Namibia and South Africa, Duncan, G. Bothalia 1998 Vol. 28(2) pag. 131-139. Address
- Four new species and one new subspecies of Lachenalia (Hyacinthaceae) from arid areas of South Africa, Duncan, GD. Bothalia 1996 Vol. 26(1) pag. 1-9. Address
- Lachenalia breeding, Satoshi Komoriya. Herbertia 2009 Vol. 63 pag. 151-159. Address
- Notes on the genus Lachenalia, Graham Duncan. Herbertia 1998 Vol. 53 pag. 40-48. Address
- Three new species of Lachenalia (Hyacinthaceae: Massonieae) from Western and Northern Cape, South Africa, Duncan, GD and Edwards, TJ. Bothalia 2006 Vol. 36(2) pag. 147-155. Address
- Lachenalias of the Eastern Cape, Dold, T. & Weeks, D. Veld & Flora 1999 Vol. 85(1) pag. 24-26. Address
- A revision of Lachenalia (Hyacinthaceae) in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, Dold, AP and Phillipson, PB. Bothalia 1998 Vol. 28(2) pag. 141-149. Address
- A synopsis of the biosystematic study of the seven minor genera of the Hyacinthaceae, Alison Summerfield. Bulbs 2004 Vol. 6(1) pag. 24-36. Address
- Five new species of Lachenalia (Hyacinthaceae) from arid areas of Namibia and South Africa, Duncan, GD. Bothalia 1997 Vol. 27(1) pag. 7-15. Address
- Five new species of Lachenalia 2 (Hyacinthaceae) from arid areas of Namibia and South Africa, Duncan, G. Bothalia 1998 Vol. 28(2) pag. 131-139. Address
- Four new species and one new subspecies of Lachenalia (Hyacinthaceae) from arid areas of South Africa, Duncan, GD. Bothalia 1996 Vol. 26(1) pag. 1-9. Address
- Lachenalia breeding, Satoshi Komoriya. Herbertia 2009 Vol. 63 pag. 151-159. Address
- Notes on the genus Lachenalia, Graham Duncan. Herbertia 1998 Vol. 53 pag. 40-48. Address
- Three new species of Lachenalia (Hyacinthaceae: Massonieae) from Western and Northern Cape, South Africa, Duncan, GD and Edwards, TJ. Bothalia 2006 Vol. 36(2) pag. 147-155. Address
- Lachenalias of the Eastern Cape, Dold, T. & Weeks, D. Veld & Flora 1999 Vol. 85(1) pag. 24-26. Address
General specifications
Biological type: bulb
Frost resistance: 27ºF
Leaf color: dark green
Flower color: mauve
Specifications for the Mediterranean basin
Adult size (h x w): 0,6ft x 0,6ft
Sun exposure: full sun (Sun hours: >6h Foliage: deciduous in summer
Growth: fast
Flowering time from March until April
Ripe fruits from May until June
Specific information for our garden
Planting substrate: 30%Compost+30%Coco+40%Sand
Plant watering: Summer sleep pH 6.5
Logical sequence of containers for: Bulbs; 2L forestry pot, 1L container, 25L high container, 145L wide cup
Ecology in its country of origin
Rainfall: 600-1000mm
Gravelly soil: much
Clay soil: much
Frost resistance: 27ºF
Leaf color: dark green
Flower color: mauve
Specifications for the Mediterranean basin
Adult size (h x w): 0,6ft x 0,6ft
Sun exposure: full sun (Sun hours: >6h Foliage: deciduous in summer
Growth: fast
Flowering time from March until April
Ripe fruits from May until June
Specific information for our garden
Planting substrate: 30%Compost+30%Coco+40%Sand
Plant watering: Summer sleep pH 6.5
Logical sequence of containers for: Bulbs; 2L forestry pot, 1L container, 25L high container, 145L wide cup
Ecology in its country of origin
Rainfall: 600-1000mm
Gravelly soil: much
Clay soil: much
Sowing instructions
AUTUMN After harvesting the seeds, keep dry for 8weeks at room temperature then keep dry in the fridge at 4°C until sowing. Sow the seeds at 4mm depth in the Bulb Substrate between 64-72°F. During germination keep the substrate moist and in daylight. The seeds germinate in 2-12 weeks.
The viability of the seeds, kept under good conditions, is 3 years.
Germination references
- PlantZafrica, Adam Harrower. Kirstenbosch NBG 2003. Lachenalia liliiflora
Germination references for the genus
- Growing and enjoying Lachenalia, Don Journet. Bulbs 2003 Vol. 6(1) pag. 24-33. Address
Bulb planting instructions
Plant the bulbs under 6cm Bulb Substrate at 10cm distance. Plant between août-sept.
The viability of the seeds, kept under good conditions, is 3 years.
Germination references
- PlantZafrica, Adam Harrower. Kirstenbosch NBG 2003. Lachenalia liliiflora
Germination references for the genus
- Growing and enjoying Lachenalia, Don Journet. Bulbs 2003 Vol. 6(1) pag. 24-33. Address
Bulb planting instructions
Plant the bulbs under 6cm Bulb Substrate at 10cm distance. Plant between août-sept.
Experiences in the garden
05-05-17A Obtaining seeds from seed provider SilverHill collected in 'SilverHill4>Klapmuts'. (Wild origin)
23-10-18 Sown seeds in a tray, they did not geminate.
Protocol: Autumn Surface Sowing mix+Sand 64-72°F day 50°F night Damp substrate+Light 2-12w
01-01-19B Obtaining seeds from seed provider Libertos.
19-09-19 Sown seeds in a tray and germinated at 08-10-19.
Protocol: Autumn Surface Sowing mix+Sand 68-77°F day 50°F night Damp substrate+Light 2-12w
. . . 2019B Production of 21 plants in our nursery: Petit32 20x V25
13-03-20C Obtaining seeds from seed provider SilverHill collected in 'SilverHill7>Klapmuts'. (Wild origin)
30-09-20 Sown 20 seeds in a container 1L and germinated at 26-01-21.
Protocol: Autumn Surface Sowing mix+Sand 68-77°F day 50°F night Damp substrate+Light 2-12w
08-12-20D Obtaining seeds from seed provider SilverHill collected in 'SilverHill9>Klapmuts'. (Wild origin)
10-02-21 Sown 30 seeds in a container 1L and germinated at 15-04-21.
Protocol: Immediat Spring 2mm SBC 50-59°F Damp substrate+Light 2-12w
. . . 2020C Production of 1 plants in our nursery: Petit32 1x C1 (Formerly of wild origin)
. . . 2021D Production of 15 plants in our nursery: Petit32 15x C1 (Formerly of wild origin)
. . . 2022B Collection of seeds in the garden collected at 07-06-22. Stock
08-09-22 Send a batch to nursery PBS.
23-09-22 Sown 50 seeds in a forest pot 2L and germinated at 25-11-22, result: 20 units in Petit32.
Protocol: Autumn Fridge bulbs 4mm SBC 68-77°F Damp substrate+Light 2w
. . . 2022B Production of 10 plants in our nursery: Serre12 10x C1
. . . 2023D Production of 1 plants in our nursery (Formerly of wild origin)
. . . 2023B Collection of seeds in the garden collected at 31-05-23. Stock
18-01-24 Send a batch to nursery JBNantes.
. . . 2024C Collection of seeds in the garden collected at 31-07-24. Stock (Formerly of wild origin) Index Seminum
11-03-25 Send a batch to nursery JBNantes.
. . . 2024D Collection of seeds in the garden collected at 04-06-24. Stock (Formerly of wild origin)
17-09-24 Sown 20 seeds in a forest pot 2L and germinated at 07-01-25, result: 1 units in Petit26.
Protocol: Autumn Fridge bulbs 4mm SBC 64-72°F Damp substrate+Light 2-12w
11-03-25 Send a batch to nursery JBNantes.
. . . 2024B Collection of seeds in the garden collected at 04-06-24. Stock
17-09-24 Sown 20 seeds in a forest pot 2L and germinated at 27-11-24, result: 1 units in Petit26.
Protocol: Autumn Fridge bulbs 4mm SBC 64-72°F Damp substrate+Light 2-12w
11-03-25 Send a batch to nursery JBNantes.
. . . 2025B Collection of seeds in the garden collected at 29-05-25. Stock Index Seminum
. . . 2025D Collection of seeds in the garden collected at 03-05-25. Stock (Formerly of wild origin) Index Seminum