Lachenalia, which belongs to the Hyacinthaceae family, is a genus of bulbous plants from southern Africa. The genus consists of nearly 130 species, most of which are quite short in stature with only a few exceeding 15cm. Many have large, eye-catching and ornamental flowers in an assortment of colours ranging from sea-green or blue to rich red and clear bright pink, often accompanied by attractively marked leaves. A handful of species are found in Namibia, but most are South African endemics with the greatest diversity found in the Western Cape. The genus name Lachenalia commemorates the Swiss botanist Prof. Werner de Lachenal (1739-1800) who was stationed at the University of Basel during the late 18th century. Propagation from seed is easy and straightforward and they are well suited to rockeries and being grown in pots.

Lachenalia bulbifera is an easily grown bulbous plant that really deserves a place in patio containers, window boxes and rock garden pockets. Lachenalia bulbifera is a deciduous, winter-growing geophyte up to 0.3 m high. It produces one or two narrowly or broadly egg-shaped, fleshy, suberect leaves that may be plain green or heavily spotted or blotched with dark brown or purple on the upper surface. The numerous long, tubular flowers are pendulous and borne on short or long, red or orange flower stalks. The flowers are unscented and have a distinct perianth tube 6-8 mm long. Flower colour varies from pale to deep orange or red; occasionally pure yellow specimens also occur. The round black seeds have a shiny seed coat and are released from ellipsoid, papery capsules in late spring.