Ledebouria socialis

Common name: silver African hyacinth
Family: Hyacinthaceae
Origin: South Africa

Plant description: red above ground bulbs proliferate in dense colonies to form densely gregarious, dwarf, bulbous plants in dense colonies. The leaves are lanceolate to triangular, with a silver background colour, adorned with green to brown spots on the upper side.  The underneath is green to purple; the leaf colour and markings are highly variable. There are usually between 10 and 30 florets on erect flower spikes; each floret is attached to the peduncle by a short stalk. It has small greenish purple, pink flowers from July to November sometimes December. 
Use: as an indoor plant, as a ground cover in rockeries, hanging baskets and pots. It thrives indoors and outdoors.
Light and position: it tolerates semi-shade.
Water requirements: moderate watering 
Special care: sufficient sunlight, does not need a lot of attention.

Pest and disease: bacterial rot.

Propagation: by division and by sowing fresh seeds..

Edible plants found at UWC Nature Reserve

 

Propagating Conicosia pugioniformis

 Propagate Conicosia pugioniformis from seeds sown in late autumn or early winter.

• Collect seeds when they are ripe.
• Place seeds in a seedling tray filled with a well-drained medium such as sand.
• Spread compost or sand lightly over seeds.
• Seeds must be placed in a room with enough light until germination takes place.
• They normally germinate in two to three weeks.
• Once true leaves begin to appear, pot seedlings into moist but well-draining soil.