Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Plant Identification => Plant Identification Questions and Answers => Topic started by: grannysmith on January 17, 2007, 02:12:08 AM

Title: Small bulb, any ideas?
Post by: grannysmith on January 17, 2007, 02:12:08 AM

I acquired this small bulb the other day and have no idea what it is. The foliage is a bit like babiana but it has brown lines on the leaves. The flowers are tiny, only about 1/4" wide, medium pink with a white centre - not clearly seen unless you peer into the flower, and 6 petals. I have tried repeatedly to get a good photo, but this is the best I can do. At least it shows the foliage. The whole plant is barely 6" tall

Title: Re: Small bulb, any ideas?
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 17, 2007, 09:52:31 AM

Don't know what your bulb is, but your lawn certainly need some TLC. :)

Title: Re: Small bulb, any ideas?
Post by: grannysmith on January 17, 2007, 10:59:30 AM

 :) Thanks for noticing! It is a bit hard to keep a lawn green with temps in the 30's and water very scarce due to lack of winter rains. The plants are more important. The grass will grow again if, and when, it rains. ;D

Title: Re: Small bulb, any ideas?
Post by: fermi de Sousa on January 17, 2007, 10:43:49 PM

The brown striped leaves makes me think that it might be what used to be called Scilla adlamii, but is now ?? Ledebouria? Not sure, as I still prefer the old name! But the flowers should be a small spike of pinky-purple bells.
cheers
fermi

Title: Re: Small bulb, any ideas?
Post by: Maggi Young on January 17, 2007, 11:01:03 PM

I think that Scilla/Ledebouria (?) has spotty,  rather succulent leaves, Fermi, doesn't it?
I am inclined to some sort of Lapeirousia ( haven't they had their names changed, too?) or an Ixia maybe?

Title: Re: Small bulb, any ideas?
Post by: fermi de Sousa on January 18, 2007, 06:28:03 AM

Maggi, Ledebouria (syn Scilla) socialis is the one most commonly seen and is as you describe "succulent with spotty leaves".
Ledbouria cooperi (syn Scilla adlamii) has brown striped foliage and from a distance it appears that the foliage is pleated! The flowers, however, are green-centred, pink stars in short spikes.
Here's a link to the PBS wiki site: http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/files/Ledebouria/Ledebouria_cooperi.jpg
with a picture of what I call Scilla adlamii.
Do the flowers look the same as yours, Marjorie?
cheers
fermi

Title: Re: Small bulb, any ideas?
Post by: grannysmith on January 18, 2007, 08:26:45 AM

Thanks Fermi, I googled ledebouria cooperi and that is exactly what it is. The centres on mine have now turned green after the flowers have been open for a day or so. Thanks so much everybody, for your help. I hate having plant with no name. :)

Title: Re: Small bulb, any ideas?
Post by: fermi de Sousa on January 19, 2007, 06:41:56 AM

Marjorie,
I hate having the name (label) and no plant!
cheers
fermi