Lachenalia is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae,[2] which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of them have a dormancy period, but new roots will always grow every year.
Lachenalia is named after the Swiss botanist Werner de Lachenal (1736-1800).[3] Species are sometimes known as Cape cowslip, though they are not even somewhat related to the true cowslip Primula veris.
In addition, Lachenalia nordenstamii W.F.Barker was listed as "threatened" in the 2006 IUCN Red List,[4] but as of December 2012[update] the name was not accepted by the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families.[1]
Several species are cultivated as garden plants. The following have gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.[5]