Rhoda McMaster's interesting introduction to Ledebouria concentrated on South African species, but the genus ranges through eastern Africa to the Arabian peninsula and across to India (a frequent distribution pattern for predominantly African genera e.g. Aloe, Acacia (African types) and Pelargonium (as far as Iraq only)). I have seen what I believe to be L. kirkii in grassland on the slopes of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. It has a big bulb (8 cm diameter) that sits exposed from the soil surface and rather broad leaves that are heavily spotted in the usual way. The inflorescence was also the rather 'standard' Ledebouria type. In Socotra grows the extraordinary L. grandifolia, with two large (30 cm long 10 cm wide) leaves tightly adpressed to the ground or rock, as they seem to grow quite frequently in rock crevices. They are bright green, with mottling only at the base on the lower surface. Unfortunately it was not in flower when I visited the island. John Grimshaw Dr John M. Grimshaw Garden Manager, Colesbourne Gardens Gardens Cottage Colesbourne Nr Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL53 9NP Website: http://www.colesbournegardens.org.uk/