Species of flowering plant
Lachenalia viridiflora, commonly known as the green-flowered Cape cowslip or turquoise hyacinth,[3][4] is a species of flowering plant in the asparagus family native to the southwest Cape Provinces of South Africa.[5] It was discovered in the 1960s, and first described in 1972 by Winsome Fanny Barker.[6]
Description
Lachenalia viridiflora is a bulbous species of perennial plant that grows 8-20cm tall.[7] Each plant grows two leaves, which may be plain or with dark spots.[3] In the winter, plants produce racemes of tubular turquoise flowers with white tips;[3] it is for this reason that Barker chose the specific epithet 'viridiflora', which is Latin for green-flowered.[6] The flowers are pollinated by the lesser double-collared sunbird.[6]
Habitat and distribution
Lachenalia viridiflora is endemic to the Vrendenburg Peninsula, where there are two extant sub-populations.[1] It grows in full sun on granite outcrops in sandy soil which becomes waterlogged in the winter.[6][7] Lachenalia viridiflora is an endangered species, and is threatened by habitat loss and overgrazing.[1]
Cultivation
Lachenalia viridiflora is cultivated as a garden ornamental, and has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[3] Plants can be propagated through somatic embryogenesis,[8] leaf cuttings, and by sowing seeds.[6]
References
