Ledebouria is a genus of deciduous or weakly evergreen bulbs in the Hyacinthaceae family. It is only recently established as a genus apart from Scilla which is a genus of the Northern Hemisphere. Ledebouria is found in India, Madagascar and Africa (mostly southern Africa). It is found mostly in areas of summer rainfall in subtropical savannas and grasslands in the eastern and northeastern parts of southern Africa. There are a few species found in winter rainfall areas as well. Ledebouria was the subject of the PBS list topic of the week May 2004. Rhoda McMaster provided the introduction for the discussion.
Seeds are ephemeral and should be sown immediately after ripening. Sow seeds in a well drained medium (1:1 organic:inorganic) and keep in a warm area (room temperature or above) until sprouting. Seedlings may not go into winter dormancy in their first year. Keep seedlings of South African species dry during their winter dormancy (Nhu Nguyen).
Ledebouria cooperi (syn. Scilla cooperi) is a widely cultivated species. It grows in damp grassland in a wide part of Eastern South Africa. It has glossy green leaves with purplish spots above and longitudinal purple stripes beneath with bright pink flowers. In South Africa it blooms October to February. This one is growing in a pot in Northern California where I keep it dryish over the winter when it is dormant. These bulbs are pretty tough and will withstand considerable winter wet (Nhu Nguyen). Plants do well with both exposed and unexposed bulbs. Photo #1 is by Bob Rutemoeller. Photos #2-4 were taken by Nhu Nguyen showing the lovely veins on the leaves, habit, and a closeup of the flowers.
Ledebouria floribunda is a large species and is used by traditional healers in the Eastern Cape, for a variety of ailments. It occurs in grassland. Several flowering spikes are produced in spring. Photo by Cameron McMaster
Ledebouria galpinii is a dwarf species from that is very suitable for pot culture. Flowers in early spring. Photo by Cameron McMaster
Ledebouria pauciflora is a horticultural name for a plant that is likely a Ledebouria. The name has not been published, but this plant is often available so we are illustrating it. Bulbs likes to stay above the soil surface. It is a summer grower and blooms in spring. I use a well drained mix and a dash of slow release fertilizer when the leaves commences growth. Photos by Nhu Nguyen.
Ledebouria petiolata J. C. Manning & Goldblatt, syn. Drimiopsis maculata see Drimiopsis
Ledebouria socialis (syn. Ledebouria violacea) is found in fine to medium grained shallow to deep well drained humus rich sandy soil in the Eastern Cape. It usually grows in shade mostly in closed evergreen woodland. A few populations occur in evergreen scrub forest. This species is often sold as "Ledebouria violacea" which is a form that have a purple underside (see photo #6). The first two photos below by David Fenwick. The second is a nicely colored form originally coming from Germany. The last three photos are by Nhu Nguyen, purple leaf form which some suggest should be called Ledebouria socialis var. violacea.
This form below is also a widely cultivated form. It is stout with good contrast in spotting. Photos by Nhu Nguyen.
Ledebouria sp. growing out of a hole in a vertical rock face, Eastern Cape. Photo by Cameron McMaster
Ledebouria sp. is one of the smaller species and grows in montane grassland on the Amatola Mountains, Eastern Cape. Photo by Cameron McMaster
Ledebouria sp. was collected by CDR in KwaZulu-Natal, blooming in Harry Hay's gardens in May 2004. Photo by Bob Rutemoeller.
Ledebouria sp. is found in the Drakensberg, near Thendele and Mont aux Sources, in October 2002 by Roy Herold.
Ledebouria sp. is widely cultivated. It was originally collected from Barberton, RSA. Photos taken by Nhu Nguyen.
Ledebouria sp. from Tanzania. Photos by Alessandro Marinello of Italy.
