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Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Lachenalia

Bulbous perennials from southern Africa, often called Cape cowslips

Photo: Kristine Paulus, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Lachenalia is a group of perennial plants with bulbs, mainly found in Namibia and South Africa. These plants have a yearly dormancy and are grown for their flowers, with several species used in gardens.

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  • Lachenalia is native to Namibia and South Africa
  • Over 130 species are recognized in the genus
  • Some species are grown as garden plants
  • Known as Cape cowslip, but not related to true cowslip

What does Lachenalia look like?

Lachenalia plants grow from bulbs and are perennials, meaning they live for several years. They are known for their flowers, though the sources do not describe their shape or color. These plants are sometimes called Cape cowslips, but they are not related to the true cowslip. Each year, they grow new roots after a period of dormancy.

Where does Lachenalia come from?

Lachenalia is native to southern Africa, especially Namibia and South Africa. The genus was named after Werner de Lachenal, a Swiss botanist who lived in the 18th century. While they are sometimes called Cape cowslips, they are unrelated to Primula veris, the true cowslip. Over 130 species are recognized in this group.

When and how Lachenalia blooms

Lachenalia species grow from bulbs and experience a dormant period each year. After dormancy, new roots develop annually. Several species are cultivated as garden plants, and some have received awards for their performance in gardens. They are generally grown for their ornamental value.

Lachenalia liliflora
Lachenalia liliflora. Photo: Epibase, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
At Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens Species Lachenalia aloides
At Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens Species Lachenalia aloides. Photo: User:BotBln, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Rooinaeltjie in Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town
Rooinaeltjie in Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town. Photo: Karen Wiebe, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Lachenalia longituba at RHS Harlow Carr in an alpine greenhouse
Lachenalia longituba at RHS Harlow Carr in an alpine greenhouse. Photo: Richard Avery, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How Lachenalia is used

Some Lachenalia species are grown in gardens for their flowers. The sources do not mention other uses such as food, medicine, or rituals. Their main use is as ornamental plants in home and garden settings.

Kinds of Lachenalia

There are over 130 accepted species of Lachenalia, including Lachenalia aloides, Lachenalia bulbifera, and Lachenalia campanulata. Some species have gained recognition from horticultural societies for their garden value. One species, Lachenalia nordenstamii, was once listed as threatened, though its status has changed.

What Lachenalia means

Lachenalia is mainly valued for its ornamental use in gardens. The genus name honors Werner de Lachenal. While sometimes called Cape cowslip, this is a name based on appearance rather than botanical relation. Conservation status has been noted for some species.

Where Lachenalia is used and seen

Exbury GardensA woodland garden in Hampshire with famous collections of flowering shrubs

Traditions that use it

The Namaqualand flower route

Where to see Lachenalia

🇿🇦 Cape Town · Aug to SepThe flower route from Cape Town to NieuwoudtvilleA spring road trip north from Cape Town through a chain of wildflower reserves.

Questions people ask about Lachenalia

Where does Lachenalia come from?

Lachenalia is mainly found in Namibia and South Africa, where it grows naturally in the wild.

What is Lachenalia used for?

Several species of Lachenalia are cultivated as ornamental plants in gardens, valued for their flowers.

Is Lachenalia related to the true cowslip?

No, although some species are called Cape cowslip, they are not related to the true cowslip, Primula veris.

How many species of Lachenalia are there?

There are over 130 accepted species of Lachenalia, according to the sources.

Why is it called Lachenalia?

The genus is named after Werner de Lachenal, a Swiss botanist from the 18th century.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Lachenalia", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

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Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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