Lachenalia alba

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Lachenalia alba W.F.Barker ex G.D.Duncan

Family: Hyacinthaceae

Common names: white lachenalia (Eng.), witviooltjie (Afr.)

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Introduction

Lachenalia alba has a restricted distribution and is only know from the Nieuwoudtville and Calvinia areas, where it grows in colonies.

Flower spike

Description

Description

Lachenalia alba is a geophyte of 100-300 mm with two spear-shaped leaves. The inflorescence is a raceme (because the flowers have stalks (pedicels)). Individual flowers are oblong to bell-shaped (oblong-campanulate).

Entire plant

Conservation Status

Status

Lachenalia alba is restricted to the Bokkeveld Plateau and is Red Listed as Vulnerable (VU). The species has lost more than 25% of its habitat to agriculture. It is further threatened by livestock trampling and porcupine diggings.

Distribution and habitat

Distribution description

On the Bokkeveld Plateau, Lachenalia alba grows in heavy clay soils in Renosterveld.

Derivation of name and historical aspects

History

The genus Lachenalia was named after Werner de Lachnenal, a professor from Basel, Switzerland. The specific epithet, alba, refer to the white colour of the flowers. It usually grows in association with L. neilii and looks very similar, but does not form bulbils.

This species was first recorded by W.F. Barker in September 1930 from the Nieuwoudtville area.

Lachenalia is the largest genus of the South African Hyacinthaceae family and consists of more than 100 species.

Ecology

Ecology

Lachenalia alba has open cup-shaped flowers and is mostly visited by bees.

Plant in flower

 

Uses

Use

There are no traditional or economic uses known for the species. Lachenalia alba will make a good pot plant.

Growing Lachenalia alba

Grow

Plants grow easily from seeds that have been collected in mid-summer. Sow seeds in early autumn in a well-drained soil mix. It takes approximately two years from sowing the seeds until the plants produce flowers. Plants can be potted or planted directly into a garden bed. Cluster plants together in groups to get the best effect.

References

  • Duncan, G.D. 1996. Four new species and one new subspecies of Lachenalia (Hyacinthaceae) from the arid areas of South Africa. Bothalia 26,1: 1-9.
  • Duncan, G.D. 1988. The Lachenalia Handbook. Annals of Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens 17: 15-28.
  • Manning, J. & Goldblatt, P. 2007. Nieuwoudtville: Bokkeveld Plateau & Hantam. South African Wild Flower Guide 9. Botanical Society in association with the National Botanical Institute, Cape Town.
  • Raimondo, D., Von Staden, L., Foden, W., Victor, J.E., Helme, N.A., Turner, R.C., Kamundi, D.A. & Manyama, P.A. (eds) 2009. Red List of South African plants 2009. Strelitzia 25. South African Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.

Credits

Eugene Marinus
Hantam National Botanical Garden
December 2013

 

 

Plant Attributes:

Plant Type: Carnivorous

SA Distribution: Northern Cape

Soil type: Sandy, Clay, Loam

Flowering season: Spring

PH: Acid

Flower colour:

Aspect: Full Sun

Gardening skill: Average

Special Features:

Good potplant
Feeds honeybees

Horticultural zones

Zone 2 Coastal winter rainfall, frost free

Zone 3 Winter rainfall Karoo, light frost