| Lachenalia unifolia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| A cultivated banded viooltjie | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asparagaceae |
| Subfamily: | Scilloideae |
| Genus: | Lachenalia |
| Species: | L. unifolia |
| Binomial name | |
| Lachenalia unifolia Jacq. | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
| |
Lachenalia unifolia, the banded viooltjie, is the most common Lachenalia species in the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa.
This bulbous geophyte grows 8–35 cm (3.1–13.8 in) tall. [2] It has one linear leaf, the lower part of which is banded with green and maroon stripes. [3] It is 8–32 cm (3.1–12.6 in) long and clasps the stem at the base. [2] The tuber contains a multi-layered tunic. The outer layers are dark brown and spongy while the inner layers are a translucent white colour. [2]
Flowers are present between August and October. They are pale blue, pink or pale yellow in colour with white tips. [3] They are borne in a raceme, which may have few or many flowers. [2]
The ellipsoid capsule contains glossy black spherical seeds. [2]
This species is endemic to the Northern Cape and Western Cape of South Africa. [4] It is found on deep sandy flats and stony clay slopes between Namaqualand to Bredasdorp. [2]
Lachenalia unifolia is the most common Lachenalia species and is considered to be of least concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). While it is declining due to a combination of habitat loss and alien vegetation, the rate of decline is not currently considered high enough to put this species at risk of extinction. [4]
This species is valued as an ornamental plant. [5]