Lachenalia canaliculata       10635

The species measures between 20 and 45cm in height when flowering. The bulb of 15 to 20mm in diameter reproduces vegetatively and is protected by a spongy tunic. It emits two leaves 100-150mm long and 13-35mm wide and a translucent cataphyll, adhering to the leave bases, apex obtuse. It is a fairly polymorphic species with leaves clasping at their base, solid green or reddish, sometimes speckled with purple bands on the abaxial part.

Like the leaves, the inflorescence is variable in color, spicate, bearing 15-20 flowers arranged in tiers of three and ending in a short sterile apex. These tubular flowers are more or less swollen at their base and narrowed at the entrance to the corolla. The perianth is zygomorphic, white, bluish or even purple. Flowering occurs between August and October with a peak in early September.

The foliage of this species is known to be grazed by Lepus Capensis. Pollination is assured, at least in part, by Apis mellifera. The dry flower stalk remains attached to the plant for a long time, the seeds are dispersed by the wind at a short distance.

Member of
The Genus: Lachenalia Subgenus: Lachenalia Section: Oblongae having the following characters: Perianth slighcly to strongly zygomorphic, arising obliquely from the pedicel or rachis.

Perianth oblong-campanulate: tube cujp- or rarely disc-shaped. up to 3 mm long; outer tepals ovate, straight to weakly convex: inner tepals obovate, radiating 15-20" from the longitudinal axis: filaments straight, recurved or declinate, included to well exserced.

References
- The genus Lachenalia, Graham Duncan. 2012 pag. 246-248. ISBN

- 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

Biological type: bulb
Frost resistance: 19ºF
Leaf color: dark green
Flower color: white

Specifications for the Mediterranean basin
Adult size (h x w): 1,3ft x 1,3ft
Sun exposure: part sun (Sun hours: >3h <6h
Foliage: deciduous in summer
Growth: fast
Flowering time from February until April

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, 3L forestry pot, 25L high container, 145L wide cup

Ecology in its country of origin
Rainfall: 100-300mm
Gravelly soil: a little
Clay soil: much
Sandy soil: much

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 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 5cm Bulb Substrate at 15cm distance. Plant between août-sept.