Drimiopsis Maculata Bulb
Also known by the common names little white soldiers, African false hosta, leopards ears, African hosta, leopard plant, and Injoba is a flowering plant species in the genus Drimiopsis.
It is the type species of its genus. It occurs from Tanzania to South Africa. Now known as Ledebouria petiolata
Scientific name: Drimiopsis maculata Family: Asparagaceae Kingdom: Plantae
Water frequently during Summer and keep dry throughout Winter. Light: They enjoy bright but indirect sunlight. Humidity: Normal humidity is sufficient. Temperature: They enjoy warmth, about 20 degrees C.
This wonderful, attractive, small but hardy bulb, previously known as Drimiopsis maculata, is tolerant of neglect and fairly easy to grow, has purple, eye-catching blotches or spots on glossy, dark green, heart-shaped leaves, which makes for a sought after garden and pot plant.
Description
Ledebouria petiolata is a robust bulbous plant that reaches heights of 100–350 mm and spreads rapidly, with clumps reaching ± 300 mm in diameter. The actual storage organ is a globose (spherical) bulb made up of fleshy leaf scales that resemble lily scales, white towards the base and dark pink-purple at the top. Bulbs are deciduous in winter-rainfall regions, but can be evergreen in temperate summer rainfall climates.
The plants have strikingly spotted leaves, 75–120 mm long and ±45 mm wide, on slender petioles (leaf stalks), often with wavy margins, glossy, mid to dark green, depending on whether it grows indoors or outdoors.
Its peduncle (flower stalk) reaches 300 mm tall, bearing a tight cluster of small, scented white flowers, turning pale green on opening. Flowers appear in late winter (August) or early spring (September) and throughout summer ( until March).
Distribution and habitat
Ledebouria petiolata is widespread in eastern South Africa, it occurs in Mpumalanga, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape; and in Swaziland and Mozambique, and extends into tropical East Africa, as far as Tanzania.
Derivation of name and historical aspects
The genus Ledebouria is named after Carl Friedrich van Ledebour (1785-1851) German botanist and professor of botany at Dorpat. The name petiolata means ‘with petioles’, referring to the leaves.
Its old name Drimiopsis means ‘bearing a resemblance to Drimia’, another member of this family, which gets its name from the Greek word drimys meaning acrid, in reference to the roots causing inflammation. The name maculata is derived from the Latin word maculosus meaning ‘spotted’, referring to the purple spots found on the foliage.
This scientific name of this species was changed in 2004 from Drimiopisis maculata to Ledebouria petiolata based on a molecular phylogenetic analysis of the family by Manning, Goldblatt and Fay. The genus Ledebouria now includes all Drimiopsis and Resnova.
Ecology Does Ledebouria like sun or shade?
This plant requires bright, indirect sun or partial shade. It is very drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering. Allow the top inch of the potting medium to dry out before watering. During the winter months, it should be watered less often
Bulbs can be planted September to November
Not much is known about Ledebouria petiolata pollinators, however it is known to be visited by generalist pollinators such as honey bees
Ledebouria maculata
Common Name
Spotted leave Drimiopsis
Plant Type
Bulb
Drimiopsis maculata, a hardy, semi-deciduous, shade loving, small bulbous plant has beautifully spotted leaves and makes a good groundcover in dappled shade.
Plant Description
This wonderful, attractive, small but hardy bulb, previously known as Drimiopsis maculata, is tolerant of neglect and fairly easy to grow.
Ledebouria petiolata is a hardy, semi-deciduous, shade loving, small bulbous plant with beautifully spotted leaves. The lovely leaves are the attraction of this plant as the white flowers that appear from Sept to Apr are inconspicuous. Multiplies easily by producing side bulbs. It is an attractive garden and container subject for dappled shade and can be utilised as a groundcover.
Ecology
Not much is known about Ledebouria petiolata pollinators, however it is known to be visited by generalist pollinators such as honey bees.
