Ledebouria steenkampsbergensis
Ledebouria steenkampsbergensis Hankey
Family: Hyacinthaceae
Common names: Steenkampsberg African hyacinth
Introduction
Miniature bulbous plant with attractively spotted leaves and pale pinkish-lilac flowers borne on deep pink and glossy flower stalks.
Fig. 1. Ledebouria steenkampsbergensis has short spikes of attractive pink flowers.
Description
Description
Usually solitary or in small clusters, dwarf bulbous plant with small bulbs and leaves. The deciduous leaves are produced in summer and may be spreading or loosely pressed to the soil, green with darker green spots above and blotched with red below or completely red. The short flower stalk is deep pink and glossy with glossy unopened flower buds. The buds open to reveal pale pinkish-lilac flowers, followed by deep pink seed capsules, which wither to release tiny black seeds.
Fig. 2. Ledebouria steenkampsbergensis has glossy deep pink flower stalks and unopened buds.
Conservation Status
Status
This species has not been formerly assessed for the South African Red List, however the authors of the species proposed that it may qualify for Critically Rare according to the South African conservation statuses used by Raimondo et al. (2009), due to the highly restricted range of the species.
Fig. 3. Ledebouria steenkampbergensis growing in a rock crevice together with moss.
Distribution and habitat
Distribution description
This species is only known from one mountain range in the Mpumalanga province, where it is regarded as a narrow endemic. The species occurs on rock sheet habitat where it grows in small pans or pockets of very shallow sandy soils, often amongst Selaginella dregei (a type of moss) and in rock crevices. In habitat the species experiences high rainfall, mostly during the summer months, as well as frequent mist due the high altitude. This is juxtaposed by little to no rain in the very cold, dry winter season. The species is completely dormant in winter when the temperatures can regularly reach below freezing and frost may be frequent.
Fig. 4. Ledebouria steenkampbergensis emerging from between rocks in early spring in the Steenkampsberg.
Derivation of name and historical aspects
History
The species was named by the author in 2024, although it has been known for many years and was never assigned a name. The species is named after the Steenkampsberg mountain range in Mpumalanga, where it occurs. The genus Ledebouria is named after a German-Estonian botanist, Professor Carl Friedrich von Ledebour (1785–1851).
The centre of diversity for the genus is over the eastern parts of South Africa, most notably in the Mpumalanga province. However the genus occurs from the Cape of South Africa across southern Africa stretching mostly up the eastern side of the continent into India, with one species on the island of Socotra.
Fig. 5. Developing seed capsules of Ledebouria steenkampsbergensis.
Ecology
Ecology
Hankey & De Castro (2024) suggested that current knowledge of this species indicates that it is restricted in its range by altitude. Occurring only above 2 202 masl up to 2 332 masl which is the highest point in the Mpumalanga province.
The species is open pollinated, meaning it is pollinated by any visiting insects. The tiny blackish seeds are produced quickly after the flowers finish and the seeds are released around the base of the mother plant. Venter (1993) conducted research on other Ledebouria species suggesting that the seeds are spread by water wash.
Fig. 6. Ledebouria steenkampsbergensis seen here growing with Selaginella dregei, a type of moss with which it frequently co-occurs.
Uses
Use
There are no known or recorded uses of this species.
Fig. 7. Ledebouria steenkampsbergensis occasionally form clusters of numerous individuals.
Growing Ledebouria steenkampsbergensis
Grow
This species is easily maintained in cultivation, it prefers cool climate and can be planted in a well-drained quarzitic sandy soil mixture with the addition of sifted well rotted leaf litter or compost in shallow trays and kept in full sun. Watering should be done in summer and can be frequent. If the plants are allowed to dry out for a protracted period they may go dormant as a drought response, even during the growing season. In winter the plants should be allowed to dry out completely until the leaves shrivel entirely. Light watering can then be applied once every two to three weeks during the dormant season, just to maintain soil humidity. Ideally the plants should not be lifted during the dormant season, but rather just move the trays out of the rain or extreme cold. Plants respond well to feeding with organic and inorganic fertilisers, although in their natural habitat they grow in very nutrient poor substrates.
Propagation is best achieved through seed, since the species does not usually proliferate very quickly from division. Sow the seed as soon as it is produced and still fresh, in a sifted mixture of fine quarzitic sandy soil mixed 1:1 with finely sifted compost, the addition of organic fertilizer can be beneficial, or it can be added after germination once the seedlings have established their first leaf. A general fungicide should be applied to prevent damping off. The seedlings can be transplanted once they are large enough to handle or left until the second growth season.
Plants are susceptible to slugs and snails in cultivation, counter measures can be applied if these pests are noticed to be causing damage to the plants. Mealy bug can be a problem in the crown of the leaves or under the leaves, especially if air circulation is poor or plants are kept in confined spaced such as greenhouses or indoors.
References
- Hankey, A.J. & De Castro, A. 2024. Four new species of Ledebouria Roth. (Hyacinthaceae) from the high altitude grasslands of the Steenkampsberg, South Africa. Haseltonia 31(1):103–126.
- Dictionary of botanical epithets. http://www.winternet.com/~chuckg/dictionary.html
- Jessop, J.P. 1970. Studies in the bulbous Liliaceae in South Africa: 1. Scilla, Schizocarpus and Ledebouria. Journal of South African Botany 36(4): 233–266.
- Venter, S. 1993. A revision of the genus Ledebouria in South Africa. M.Sc. Thesis. University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg.
- Venter, S. 2008. Synopsis of the genus Ledebouria Roth (Hyacinthaceae) in South Africa. Herbertia 62
Credits
Andrew Hankey
Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden
April 2025
Plant Attributes:
Plant Type: Bulb
SA Distribution: Mpumalanga
Soil type: Sandy
Flowering season: Spring
PH: Acid
Flower colour: Pink
Aspect: Full Sun
Gardening skill: Easy
Special Features:

Horticultural zones




Rate this article
Article well written and informative
Rate this plant
Is this an interesting plant?
Login to add your Comment
Back to topNot registered yet? Click here to register.