''Lachenalia'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

bulb In botany, a bulb is structurally a short stem with fleshy leaves or leaf basesBell, A.D. 1997. ''Plant form: an illustrated guide to flowering plant morphology''. Oxford University Press, Oxford, U.K. that function as food storage organs duri ...

ous

perennial plant A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives more than two years. The term ('' per-'' + '' -ennial'', "through the years") is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. The term is also wide ...

s in the family

Asparagaceae Asparagaceae, known as the asparagus family, is a family of flowering plants, placed in the order Asparagales of the monocots. The family name is based on the edible garden asparagus, ''Asparagus officinalis''. Those who live in the temperate c ...

, subfamily

Scilloideae Scilloideae (named after the genus ''Scilla'', "squill") is a subfamily of bulbous plants within the family ''Asparagaceae''. Scilloideae is sometimes treated as a separate family Hyacinthaceae, named after the genus ''Hyacinthus''. Scilloideae or ...

, which are usually found in

Namibia Namibia (, ), officially the Republic of Namibia, is a country in Southern Africa. Its western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Zambia and Angola to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and ea ...

and

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...

. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new

root In vascular plants, the roots are the organs of a plant that are modified to provide anchorage for the plant and take in water and nutrients into the plant body, which allows plants to grow taller and faster. They are most often below the sur ...

s will always grow every year. ''Lachenalia'' is named after the Swiss botanist Werner de Lachenal (1736-1800). Species are sometimes known as Cape cowslip, though they are not even somewhat related to the true cowslip ''

Primula veris ''Primula veris'', the cowslip, common cowslip, or cowslip primrose ( syn. ''Primula officinalis'' ), is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the primrose family Primulaceae. The species is native throughout most of temperate Europe and w ...

''.

Species

, the ''Plants of the World Online'' accepted 136 species:Search for "Lachenalia", *''

Lachenalia alba ''Lachenalia'' is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow every year. ''La ...

'' W.F.Barker ex G.D.Duncan *''

Lachenalia algoensis ''Lachenalia'' is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow every year. ''Lache ...

'' Schönland *'' Lachenalia aloides'' (L.f.) Engl. *''

Lachenalia ameliae ''Lachenalia'' is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow every year. ''Lache ...

'' W.F.Barker *''

Lachenalia angelica ''Lachenalia'' is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow every year. ''Lache ...

'' W.F.Barker *''

Lachenalia anguinea ''Lachenalia'' is a genus (biology), genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow eve ...

'' Sweet *''

Lachenalia arbuthnotiae ''Lachenalia'' is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow every year. ''Lache ...

'' W.F.Barker *''

Lachenalia attenuata ''Lachenalia'' is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow every year. ''Lache ...

'' W.F.Barker ex G.D.Duncan *''

Lachenalia aurioliae ''Lachenalia'' is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow every year. ''Lache ...

'' G.D.Duncan *''

Lachenalia bachmannii ''Lachenalia'' is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow every year. ''Lache ...

'' Baker *''

Lachenalia barkeriana ''Lachenalia'' is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow every year. ''Lache ...

'' U.Müll.-Doblies *''

Lachenalia bolusii ''Lachenalia'' is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow every year. ''Lache ...

'' W.F.Barker *''

Lachenalia bowkeri ''Lachenalia'' is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow every year. ''Lache ...

'' Baker *''

Lachenalia buchubergensis ''Lachenalia'' is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow every year. ''Lache ...

'' Dinter *''

Lachenalia bulbifera ''Lachenalia bulbifera'', syn. ''L. pendula'', is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to the Western Cape of South Africa. It is a bulbous perennial growing to tall by broad, with strap-shaped spotted leaves and fl ...

'' (Cirillo) Engl. *''

Lachenalia campanulata ''Lachenalia'' is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow every year. ''Lache ...

'' Baker *''

Lachenalia capensis ''Lachenalia'' is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow every year. ''Lache ...

'' W.F.Barker *''

Lachenalia carnosa ''Lachenalia carnosa'' is a species of geophyte in the genus '' Lachenalia''. It is endemic to the Northern Cape and Western Cape. It is also known by the names Namakwa- persviooltjie (Afrikaans for small purple Namaqua violin) and flesh viooltji ...

'' Baker *''

Lachenalia cernua ''Lachenalia'' is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow every year. ''Lache ...

'' G.D.Duncan *''

Lachenalia comptonii ''Lachenalia'' is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow every year. ''Lache ...

'' W.F.Barker *'' Lachenalia concordiana'' Schltr. ex W.F.Barker *''

Lachenalia congesta ''Lachenalia'' is a genus (biology), genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow eve ...

'' W.F.Barker *''

Lachenalia contaminata ''Lachenalia contaminata'' (wild hyacinth) is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to the Western Cape of South Africa. It is a bulbous perennial A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives mor ...

'' Aiton *''

Lachenalia convallarioides ''Lachenalia'' is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow every year. ''Lache ...

'' Baker *'' Lachenalia corymbosa'' (L.) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt *''

Lachenalia dasybotrya ''Lachenalia'' is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow every year. ''La ...

'' Diels *'' Lachenalia dehoopensis'' W.F.Barker *''

Lachenalia doleritica ''Lachenalia'' is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow every year. ''Lache ...

'' G.D.Duncan *''

Lachenalia duncanii ''Lachenalia'' is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow every year. ''Lache ...

'' W.F.Barker *'' Lachenalia elegans'' W.F.Barker *'' Lachenalia ensifolia'' (Thunb.) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt *'' Lachenalia fistulosa'' Baker *''

Lachenalia flava ''Lachenalia flava'', the golden opal flower, is a species of flowering plant in the genus ''Lachenalia'' native to the southwest Cape Provinces of South Africa. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit The Award ...

'' Andrews *'' Lachenalia framesii'' W.F.Barker *'' Lachenalia giessii'' W.F.Barker *'' Lachenalia glaucophylla'' W.F.Barker *'' Lachenalia haarlemensis'' Fourc. *'' Lachenalia hirta'' (Thunb.) Thunb. *''

Lachenalia inconspicua ''Lachenalia'' is a genus (biology), genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow eve ...

'' G.D.Duncan *'' Lachenalia isopetala'' Jacq. *''

Lachenalia juncifolia ''Lachenalia'' is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow every year. ''Lache ...

'' Baker *'' Lachenalia karooica'' W.F.Barker ex G.D.Duncan *'' Lachenalia klinghardtiana'' Dinter *'' Lachenalia kliprandensis'' W.F.Barker *'' Lachenalia lactosa'' G.D.Duncan *'' Lachenalia latimerae'' W.F.Barker *'' Lachenalia leipoldtii'' G.D.Duncan *''

Lachenalia leomontana ''Lachenalia'' is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow every year. ''La ...

'' W.F.Barker *'' Lachenalia liliiflora'' Jacq. *'' Lachenalia longibracteata'' E.Phillips *'' Lachenalia longituba'' (A.M.van der Merwe) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt *'' Lachenalia lutea'' G.D.Duncan *'' Lachenalia luteola'' Jacq. *'' Lachenalia lutzeyeri'' G.D.Duncan *'' Lachenalia macgregoriorum'' W.F.Barker *'' Lachenalia margaretae'' W.F.Barker *'' Lachenalia marginata'' W.F.Barker *'' Lachenalia marlothii'' W.F.Barker ex G.D.Duncan *''

Lachenalia martiniae ''Lachenalia'' is a genus (biology), genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow eve ...

'' W.F.Barker *'' Lachenalia mathewsii'' W.F.Barker *'' Lachenalia maughanii'' (W.F.Barker) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt *'' Lachenalia maximiliani'' Schltr. ex W.F.Barker *'' Lachenalia mediana'' Jacq. *''

Lachenalia minima ''Lachenalia'' is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow every year. ''Lache ...

'' W.F.Barker *'' Lachenalia moniliformis'' W.F.Barker *'' Lachenalia montana'' Schltr. ex W.F.Barker *'' Lachenalia multifolia'' W.F.Barker *''

Lachenalia mutabilis ''Lachenalia'' is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow every year. ''Lache ...

'' Lodd. ex Sweet *'' Lachenalia namaquensis'' W.F.Barker *'' Lachenalia namibiensis'' W.F.Barker *''

Lachenalia nardousbergensis ''Lachenalia'' is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow every year. ''La ...

'' G.D.Duncan *'' Lachenalia neilii'' W.F.Barker ex G.D.Duncan *'' Lachenalia nervosa'' Ker Gawl. *'' Lachenalia nutans'' G.D.Duncan *''

Lachenalia obscura ''Lachenalia'' is a genus (biology), genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow eve ...

'' Schltr. ex G.D.Duncan *''

Lachenalia orchioides ''Lachenalia orchioides'', the orchidlike Cape cowslip, is a species of flowering plant in the genus '' Lachenalia'', native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit The Awar ...

'' (L.) Aiton *'' Lachenalia orthopetala'' Jacq. *'' Lachenalia pallida'' Aiton *''

Lachenalia patula ''Lachenalia'' is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow every year. ''La ...

'' Jacq. *''

Lachenalia paucifolia ''Lachenalia'' is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow every year. ''Lache ...

'' (W.F.Barker) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt *'' Lachenalia pearsonii'' (R.Glover) W.F.Barker *'' Lachenalia peersii'' Marloth ex W.F.Barker *''

Lachenalia perryae ''Lachenalia'' is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow every year. ''Lache ...

'' G.D.Duncan *'' Lachenalia physocaulos'' W.F.Barker *'' Lachenalia polyphylla'' Baker *'' Lachenalia polypodantha'' Schltr. ex W.F.Barker *'' Lachenalia punctata'' Jacq. *'' Lachenalia purpureocaerulea'' Jacq. *'' Lachenalia pusilla'' Jacq. *'' Lachenalia quadricolor'' Jacq. *'' Lachenalia reflexa'' Thunb. *''

Lachenalia rosea ''Lachenalia'' is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow every year. ''Lache ...

'' Andrews *'' Lachenalia salteri'' W.F.Barker *'' Lachenalia sargeantii'' W.F.Barker *'' Lachenalia schelpei'' W.F.Barker *'' Lachenalia schlechteri'' Baker *''

Lachenalia sessiliflora ''Lachenalia'' is a genus (biology), genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow eve ...

'' Andrews *'' Lachenalia splendida'' Diels *'' Lachenalia stayneri'' W.F.Barker *'' Lachenalia thomasiae'' W.F.Barker ex G.D.Duncan *'' Lachenalia trichophylla'' Baker *'' Lachenalia undulata'' Masson ex Baker *'' Lachenalia unifolia'' Jacq. *''

Lachenalia valeriae ''Lachenalia'' is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow every year. ''Lache ...

'' G.D.Duncan *'' Lachenalia variegata'' W.F.Barker *'' Lachenalia ventricosa'' Schltr. ex W.F.Barker *''

Lachenalia verticillata ''Lachenalia'' is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow every year. ''Lache ...

'' W.F.Barker *'' Lachenalia violacea'' Jacq. *''

Lachenalia viridiflora ''Lachenalia viridiflora'', commonly known as the green-flowered Cape cowslip or turquoise hyacinth, is a species of flowering plant in the asparagus family native to the southwest Cape Provinces of South Africa. It was discovered in the 1960s, ...

'' W.F.Barker *'' Lachenalia whitehillensis'' W.F.Barker *''

Lachenalia wrightii ''Lachenalia'' is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow every year. ''La ...

'' Baker *'' Lachenalia xerophila'' Schltr. ex G.D.Duncan *'' Lachenalia youngii'' Baker in W.H.Harvey & auct. suc. (eds.) *''

Lachenalia zebrina ''Lachenalia'' is a genus (biology), genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow eve ...

'' W.F.Barker *'' Lachenalia zeyheri'' Baker In addition, ''

Lachenalia nordenstamii ''Lachenalia nordenstamii'' is a species of plant in the family Asparagaceae. The name is accepted by some authorities, but not by the ''World Checklist of Selected Plant Families''. It is endemic to Namibia. Its natural habitat In eco ...

'' W.F.Barker was listed as "threatened" in the 2006 IUCN Red List, but the name was not accepted by the ''World Checklist of Selected Plant Families''.

Cultivation

Several species are cultivated as garden plants. The following have gained the

Royal Horticultural Society The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), founded in 1804 as the Horticultural Society of London, is the UK's leading gardening charity. The RHS promotes horticulture through its five gardens at Wisley (Surrey), Hyde Hall (Essex), Harlow Carr (Nort ...

’s

Award of Garden Merit The Award of Garden Merit (AGM) is a long-established annual award for plants by the British Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). It is based on assessment of the plants' performance under UK growing conditions. History The Award of Garden Merit ...

. *''Lachenalia'' ‘Rupert’ *''Lachenalia bulbifera'' ‘George’ *''Lachenalia contaminata'' *''Lachenalia corymbosa'' *''Lachenalia flava'' *''Lachenalia pustulata'' *''Lachenalia quadricolor'' *''Lachenalia vanzyliae'' *''Lachenalia viridiflora''

References

Bibliography

* * * * * *

External links

Pacific Bulb Society: ''Lachenalia''
{{Taxonbar, from=Q144704 Asparagaceae genera