Hi Ginny,

Oops - Ledebouria is a member of the lily family, Liliaceae, not Violaceae. The label is in error. There is a link with violets, though, in that Ledebouria socialis, perhaps the most commonly grown species, goes by the common name of violet squill.
But actually, the error is a slightly different typo.
The label should read Ledebouria 'Violacea' (note there is no 'a' at the end). This is an improved cultivar of Ledebouria socialis with violet/wine coloured undersides to the leaves and to the bulbs. You could also correctly write the name Ledebouria socialis 'Violacea' if you like.

I say 'commonly grown' not meaning that is in fact common. Well maybe it is in some parts, but it was not until a year ago that I came across my first plant of it. That was in the Watts Gallery, Compton, Surrey, UK - where the curator was prone to collecting odd interesting things such as this, and he kindly let me have a couple of pieces. And I would not have visited there had I not been playing host to Lorraine and Richard Lobb, who were visting me from their home in Canada. And I only got to know them because of Lorraine's interest in violets. There - another violet connection.

Ledebouria socialis is pretty much a succulent bulb, with small but interesting flowers, but mainly grown for its prettily variegated strap-like leaves. If I say it is like a Scilla, that may help some folks envisage it; that also explains the 'squill' part of its common name. It comes from southern Africa and should do well in San Jose (where I remember having fun at Great America theme park back in 1984 or thereabouts).

What's that I hear you say? "This is a forum for Viola." Yes, I know, but we can hardly tell the questioner to post the message on the Ledebouria forum, can we ?! (Eeks - just my luck and there would actually be one!)

Cheers,
Mike

Ginny, I live nearby in San Mateo. How is your Ledebouria growing and would you be willing to part with a bulblet to trade for something on my exchange list?

L

Here is a link that might be useful: My Trade List