Ledebouria parvifolia

Description

Dwarf bulbous plant, densely gregarious by sobolifery (producing bulblets at the base of the mother bulb), with small bulbs, 25 � 25 mm, producing 3�5, deciduous, finely hairy leaves, 15�50 mm long and about 15�20 mm wide. On close inspection the upper surfaces of the leaves and peduncles (main flower stalk) are adorned with dense, very fine, longitudinal rows of minute glassy hairs, which makes this Ledebouria quite unique. The leaves are mostly mid- to light-green, unspotted or with irregular purple coloured spots and blotches, the underside is often completely red or green or variously suffused with red, especially towards the base. The short, unbranched inflorescence (flower spike) is produced in early spring (August to September in South Africa). It remains mostly erect, but can become decumbent towards the end of the flowering season.