Tulbaghia
(named after Tulbagh, a Dutch governor at the Cape of Good Hope, who died in 1771). SYN. Omentaria. ORD. Liliaceae. About a dozen species have been referred as such to this genus, but Baker accords this rank to nine only. They are mostly greenhouse, rhizomatous, perennial herbs, with a garlic-like odour, inhabiting South and tropical Africa. Flowers numerous, in a terminal umbel, pedicellate; perianth urceolate or nearly salver-shaped, with six sub-equal, spreading lobes; corona rather fleshy at the throat, shorter than the lobes; stamens six; involucral bracts two, scarious, braod; scape simple, leafless. Leaves radical, ligulate, the withered sheath sometimes forming, with the rhizome, an imperfect corm. The species known in gardens are described below. They are interesting subjects when in flower. Sandy loam and peat form the most suitable compost for Tulbaghias. Propagation may be effected by offsets, or by seeds.
T. affinis (related). A form of T. alliacea.
T. alliacea (Onion-scented). fl., perianth greenish-purple, five to six lines long; corona obscurely red, fleshy, entire or crenate; umbels four to twelve-flowered; scapes 9in. to 18in. long. June. l. five or six, 6in. to 9in. long, two to three lines broad. 1820. (Ref. B. 349.) T. a. affinis (related). fl., perianth segments half the length of the tube, narrower. l. 1ft. or more long, three to six lines broad. Altogether a more robust plant than the type. SYN. T. affinis.
T. a. Ludwigiana (Ludwig's). fl., scape 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. long. l. lorate, 6in. to 8in. long, eight to nine lines broad. SYN. T. Ludwigiana (B. M. 3547). T. alliacea (Onion-like), of Sims. A synonym of T. capensis. T. capensis (Cape). fl., perianth greenish-purple, the segments half the length of the tube; staminodia obscurely purple, deeply emarginate; umbels six to eight-flowered; scapes 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. high. June. l. ten to twelve, 1ft. or more long, four to six lines broad. 1774. (B. M. 806, under name of T. alliacea.) T. Ludwigiana (Ludwig's). A form of T. alliacea.
T. violacea (violet). fl., perianth purplish-violet, eight to nine lines long, the segments lanceolate, half the length of the cylindrical tube; staminodia ligulate, emarginate; umbels eight to twenty-flowered; scapes 1ft. to 2ft. long. March. l. six to ten, green, 8in. to 12in. long, two to three lines broad. 1838. (B. M. 3555.)