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 lutea, commonly known as Clay Viooltjie, is a South African endemic perennial flowering geophyte found in the Western Cape where it occurs from Citrusdal to Strand, and eastwards to the Bot River Valley. It is often growing amongst fynbos, and it occurs in seasonally moist, stony clay, less frequently in sandy soils. It can be found on low-lying flats and hills in renosterveld, as well as on shale bands in mountains. Growing from 16 to 24 cm tall, from mid-winter through to early spring appears the striking greenish yellow oblong-campanulate sweetly scented flowers without pedicels and with anthers included.