L. apertiflora prefers rather hot and semi-arid areas of southern Africa where it occurs in hot dry woodland or scrub in gravelly soil. The large seeds are possibly an adaptation to aid the survival of the seedlings in the dry and inhospitable environment.

L. galpinii is a mist belt species which is restricted to a very small area in the high mountains of the Mpumalanga Province. This species is characterized by the glossy purple-brown pitted leaves and brightly coloured flowers which make for an attractive pot plant display when they are in full flower in early spring.

L. minima is one of the dwarf species and is extremely cryptic when not in flower in amongst the grasses. This species flowers in spring and can only be spotted easily when the grass has been burnt during the previous winter period. These conditions often result in this species flowering en-masse after the onset of the spring rains in certain areas where it can be quite abundant in small pockets.

L. ovatifolia is characterized by the leaves which are tightly appresssed to the soil surface and broadly triangular in shape. This species is very widespread and displays a wide variation with several local forms. It would warrant a separate study to determine if some of these forms are not separate species. The upper leaf surface is variously marked with dense to sparse purple or dark green spots or is totally unspotted.

L. revoluta is one of the most widespread and common species in the genus; it is also one of the most variable, and many different forms of this species can be seen across a vast area of the eastern part of southern Africa.