Lachenalia unifolia

Lachenalia unifolia
A cultivated banded viooltjie
Scientific classification Edit this 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]
  • Monoestes unifolia (Jacq.) Salisb.
  • Scillopsis unifolia (Jacq.) Lem.

Lachenalia unifolia, the banded viooltjie, is the most common Lachenalia species in the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa.

Description

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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

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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]

Conservation

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Lachenalia unifolia is the most common Lachenalia species and is considered to be of least concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). While it is declining due to a combination of habitat loss and alien vegetation, the rate of decline is not currently considered high enough to put this species at risk of extinction.[4]

Uses

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This species is valued as an ornamental plant.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Lachenalia unifolia". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f e-Flora of South Africa. v1.42. 2023. South African National Biodiversity Institute. http://ipt.sanbi.org.za/iptsanbi/resource?r=flora_descriptions&v=1.42
  3. ^ a b Manning, John; Goldblatt, Peter (2012). Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region : 1: the core Cape flora (PDF). Pretoria: South African National Biodiversity Institute, SANBI. ISBN 978-1-919976-74-7. OCLC 852384288.
  4. ^ a b Duncan, G.D.; Mtshali, H. (2019). "Lachenalia unifolia Jacq. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1". SANBI Red List of South African Plants. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  5. ^ van Rooyen, P.; Spies, J.J.; Kleynhans, R. (2002). "The Species Delimitation of Lachenalia Unifolia and L. Hirta". Acta Horticulturae (570): 395–401. doi:10.17660/ActaHortic.2002.570.56. ISSN 0567-7572.