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 lutzeyeri, commonly known as Lutzeyer’s Lachenalia or Grootbos Viooltjie, is a rare and range restricted South African endemic perennial flowering geophyte found in the Western Cape province where it is known from a small area around Gansbaai and Pearly Beach. It is found growing in conjunction with fynbos, in full sun, in open areas or between sandstone boulders on southwest-facing moderate slopes. Flowering happens during spring. Growing from 20-40 cm tall, it has oblong-campanulate pink flowers with exserted stamens.