Large spherical bulb with strappy leaves

7 years ago

*Help needed* to identify this interesting specimen I picked up this afternoon. Any ideas? I was given it by a lady who explained that it came from an old garden. It seems to multiply easily enough. She has never seen it in flower. The bulb is bigger than a tennis ball and spherical. It is similar to an amaryllis bulb but is rounder and does not taper to where leaves emerge. The leaves are slightly more floppy.

Sooooh curious to know what it is... Anyone any idea?

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

7 years ago

I'd guess an Albuca of some type but the only one I am familiar with is Albuca spiralis.

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Comments (9)

User
Original Author
7 years ago
Oh gosh! I wonder.... What an amazing plant. I love it. My one has smooth strappy leaves. No sign of anything squiggly. Definitely emerges straight out of the bulb in the same way. Grows outdoors in Ireland. I get the impression from a quick search that it would not survive outdoors here @gardengal48
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
7 years ago
Apparently. Albuca nelsonii is quite hardy (listed to zone 8b here and a local nursery sells it) and is successfully grown outside in Shropshire. Seems to increase rather freely as well. And is also one of the few evergreen species

Not sure if this is what you have but it seems to tick off most of the boxes :-) Flowers would certainly help....if they appear, it would be in early summer.
User
7 years ago
Does this look like a flower bud?
User thanked User
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
7 years ago
Possibly!!
User thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
wantonamara Z8 CenTex
7 years ago
Yeah!!!
User
Original Author
7 years ago
@macranthos You had me excited for a moment there. Have just rushed outside to check. No, not a bud; new leaf emerging.
HU-864915086
4 years ago
my guess is a variety of Crimun Lilly. But : the ones i have (one variety) have a neck. and it is a southern plant.... zones 9-11 or maybe down to 7. Pottable. Hardy and multiplies.
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
4 years ago
Why is it necessary to continue to try to ID this after 3 years?