Genus of 90 species of bulbous perennials from grassland or rocky sites, on often seasonally moist ground, in South Africa. An attractive plant, providing a host of tubular flowers in winter. In late summer plant bulbs in a 6 in. pot with the tips just below the surface. Keep in a cool bright room, water once and then leave until shoots appear. At this stage water and feed regularly. The blooms of Lachenalia aloides are yellow tinged with green and red. They are borne on 1 ft stalks which bear brown or purple blotches. The variety lutea has all-yellow flowers.