Lapeirousia corymbosa.

Lapeirousia corymbosa.

Lapeirousia corymbosa has flowered for Jon for the first time, from seed. "Like Hepaticas you have to get up close to see their beauty. From a distance it just looks like a blue mass, as you can't see the markings. All those flowers on just one stem-it certainly puts on a show when the sun is out at least" he writes, (we haven't had very many sunny days lately).
Lapeirousia corymbosa occurs on sandy and granitic slopes in Southwestern corner of the African continent. It is now endangered and it is on the Red List due to loss of habitat. A cormous perennial with blackish rough tunics. The leaves look most unusual, mostly one leaf sometimes two with a sickle shape with wavy margins and a thick mid rib vein. Ideal for growing in pots and attracts a lot of pollinating insects and the hover flies are abundant this year but I have not seen very many bees this year and I am worried it is too wet for them and they have died with not enough food.
Reference book 'The colour Encyclopedia of Cape Bulbs' by John Manning, Peter Goldblatt and Dee Snijman.