Lachenalia unifolia
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| Lachenalia unifolia | |
|---|---|
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| A cultivated banded viooltjie | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asparagaceae |
| Subfamily: | Scilloideae |
| Genus: | Lachenalia |
| Species: | L. unifolia |
| Binomial name | |
| Lachenalia unifolia Jacq. | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Lachenalia unifolia, the banded viooltjie, is the most common Lachenalia species in the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa.
This bulbous geophyte grows 8–35 cm (3.1–13.8 in) tall.[2] It has one linear leaf, the lower part of which is banded with green and maroon stripes.[3] It is 8–32 cm (3.1–12.6 in) long and clasps the stem at the base.[2] The tuber contains a multi-layered tunic. The outer layers are dark brown and spongy while the inner layers are a translucent white colour.[2]
Flowers are present between August and October. They are pale blue, pink or pale yellow in colour with white tips.[3] They are borne in a raceme, which may have few or many flowers.[2]
The ellipsoid capsule contains glossy black spherical seeds.[2]
Distribution and habitat
This species is endemic to the Northern Cape and Western Cape of South Africa.[4] It is found on deep sandy flats and stony clay slopes between Namaqualand to Bredasdorp.[2]