Thought to be a Trachyandra sp. when first collected, this charming winter-growing bulb proved to be an Albuca and yet another of the curly-leaved bulbs so peculiarly abundant in the dry coastal regions of southwestern Africa. This distinctive leaf form is thought to be an adaptation to increase surface area for the condensation of fog-borne moisture and to direct that moisture to drip within the root zone of the plant. Like other dwarf Albuca species, the flowers are large in proportion to the plant and the petals are white with a green midstripe. From controlled pollination of Trager 97-56 collected Aug 9, 1997, in the N. Cape of S. Africa, 9.7 km N of R 355 on the road to Naroegas, a locality affectionately known as the “Lost World” in reference to my impeccable sense of direction resulting in a rather longer day in the field than planned. HBG 123349, $10.
Published in the Cactus and Succulent Journal, Vol. 87 (3), May - June, 2015