Asparagaceae

Albuca

Albuca

Genus of perennial bulbous plants in the Asparagaceae family, native primarily to southern Africa. Albucas grow from underground bulbs and produce basal leaves that can be linear, channeled, or notably spiralized in some species. The nodding white-yellowish to green flowers have three inner petals with green or yellow stripes. Many species enter summer dormancy.

Allium

Allium

Beaucarnea

Beaucarnea

Genus of caudiciform plants in the family Asparagaceae, native to Mexico and Central America. Characterized by their bulbous base or swollen caudex that stores water and nutrients, and their crown of long drooping leaves. The best-known species is B. recurvata (ponytail palm), one of the world's most sold indoor plants.

Bowiea

Bowiea

Genus of bulbous geophytes in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, native to eastern and southern Africa. They produce an exposed green photosynthesizing bulb from which highly branched twining stems emerge. The best-known species, B. volubilis, is commonly called "climbing onion" and is highly prized in succulent and caudiciform collections.

Bravoa

Bravoa

Genus of bulbous geophytes in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Agavoideae, native to Mexico and Central America. They produce bulbs or rhizomes and erect flowering stems with tubular red or orange flowers. Currently many species are classified within the genus Polianthes, of which Bravoa was formerly a synonym.

Calibanus

Calibanus

A small genus of caudiciform plants from Mexico, belonging to the family Asparagaceae. They form a spectacular woody or corky caudex from which rigid, needle-like grass-like leaves emerge. Extremely drought-tolerant and sought after by collectors of rare plants.

Camassia

Camassia

Charybdis

Charybdis

Genus of bulbous geophytes belonging to the subfamily Scilloideae of Asparagaceae (= Hyacinthaceae). Distributed mainly in the Mediterranean, Macaronesia and North Africa. Species produce large bulbs with fleshy scales and basal leaves. Flowers are produced on dense scapes. Several genera have been included in Charybdis (including Urginea and Drimia sensu lato). Many species contain cardiac glycosides (scilliroside) and have been used medicinally.

Clistoyucca

Clistoyucca

Coilonox

Coilonox

Daubenya

Daubenya

Dipcadi

Dipcadi

Dracaena

Dracaena

Large genus of plants in the family Asparagaceae (subfamily Nolinoideae) including more than 120 species of trees, shrubs, and rosulate plants distributed across Africa, tropical Asia, Pacific islands, and the Canary Islands. Dracaenas are famous for their red resin known as "dragon's blood", produced especially by D. draco and D. cinnabari, used for centuries in varnishes, dyes, incenses, and medicine. The genus harbours some of the most long-lived and architecturally unique arboreal forms in the plant kingdom: D. draco can live for more than 1,000 years. It also includes numerous ornamental indoor species (D. fragrans, D. marginata, D. trifasciata) very common in worldwide domestic gardening.

Drimia

Drimia

Drimia is a genus of bulbous plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Urgineoideae (formerly placed in Hyacinthaceae). It comprises around 100 species native primarily to Africa, with diversity centers in the southern and eastern parts of the continent, though some species extend into the Mediterranean region and southwestern Asia. Plants in this genus are characterized by large tunicate bulbs, basal leaves that often appear after flowering, and racemes or spikes of small white, greenish, or pinkish flowers. Many species contain cardiotoxic glycosides (bufadienolides) and have been used in traditional African and European medicine since antiquity.

Drimiopsis

Drimiopsis

Eriospermum

Eriospermum

Genus of South African geophytes growing from underground corms or tubers. Their most distinctive trait is a unique leaf blade that in many species develops papillose, lobed or highly complex appendages on its adaxial surface. Belonging to Asparagaceae (subfamily Eriospermoidea), the genus comprises over 100 species distributed primarily in southwestern Africa.

Eucomis

Eucomis

Lachenalia

Lachenalia

Ledebouria

Ledebouria

Genus of bulbous geophytes in the Asparagaceae family (subfamily Scilloideae), distributed mainly in southern Africa. Their bulbs are generally exposed above the soil, which is unusual among geophytes. The leaves are fleshy and frequently spotted or striped with decorative patterns. It is a genus widely cultivated as a houseplant for its low maintenance and ornamental appearance.

Loncomelos

Loncomelos

Genus of the family Asparagaceae, closely related to Ornithogalum. Bulbous plants with generally white or greenish flowers in racemes. Mainly distributed in the Mediterranean and Western Asia.