About Lachenalia aloides (L.f.) Engl.
Lachenalia aloides (opal flower) is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to the Western Cape of South Africa. It is a bulbous perennial growing 15–28 cm (6–11 in) tall and 5 cm (2 in) broad, with strap-shaped spotted leaves and fleshy stems. Its pendent tubular yellow flowers, which are red at the tips, bloom on these stems in winter and spring. The Latin epithet aloides literally means "aloe-like"; despite this physical similarity, L. aloides does not belong to the same plant family as aloes. Numerous cultivars have been bred for garden use. These cultivars require a sheltered, frost-free position or can be grown under glass. The varieties L. aloides var. aurea and L. aloides var. quadricolor have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
