Albuca is a genus of 60 to 70 species belonging to the Hyacinthaceae family, to be precise in the subfamily Ornithogaloideae. It is apparently most closely related to Ornithogalum subgenus Osmyne (alternatively treated as genus Coilonox). All Albuca species grow from bulbs, and most have a dormancy period after flowering whereby they lose their leaves. The flower scape is, like almost all Hyacinthaceae, unbranched. Most species only produce one scape per growing season, although some, such as A. flaccida and A. maxima, may produce two or more; the tropical African species may produce scape after scape after scape in optimal conditions. The majority of species are winter-growers, mainly originating from the south-west Cape and northwards into Namaqualand, South Africa. The genus also extends into tropical Africa and Arabia, where there are comparatively fewer species. The most characteristic feature of the genus is the shape of the flower. The outer 3 tepals spread out like any normal flower, but the inner 3 stay more or less closed. The general appearance is therefore somewhat like a snowdrop (Galanthus). The flowers do come in a limited color range, white and yellow through to green, but are usually embellished with a green stripe down the middle of each outer tepal. Some species also have the tips of the inner, closed tepals colored differently, either with white or bright yellow. Flowers are either presented in a nodding or drooping formation, or erect on firm pedicels (flowerstalks). The tropical African species, on the other hand, have flowers on such short pedicels that the only position they can hold is sideways. Another interesting floral feature lies in the anthers (pollen sacs). In most species, three alternate anthers are noticeably different. They can be slightly shorter but otherwise similar to the other three, or much smaller with limited if any pollen, through to minute remnants or even non-existent. This feature is consistent within each species. Flowers of many species, mainly the white-flowered ones, lack scent, but many of the yellow- to green-flowered species have rich, pleasant perfumes, always difficult to describe precisely. Based on the structure of the flowers, the genus can be subdivided into 4 subgenera: Subgenus Pallastema has long and slender styles, and stamens that are arranged zygomorphically (much like in Lachenalia). The inner tepals tend to be slightly outspread, and the outer tepals not opening as wide as in the other subgenera. This subgenus is tropical African. The other subgenera have thick styles, and stamens arranged actinomorphically (like in Scilla) but bunched close together due to the inner tepals being held more or less shut. Their distribution is biased towards the winter-rainfall area of South Africa, especially the western part. They are distinguished from each other solely in the structure of the tips of the inner tepals: subgenus Albuca has thickened tips attached by a narrowed hinge; subgenus Mitrotepalum has thin hooded tips; and subgenus Falconera has thickened but unhinged tips. Knowing which subgenus a plant belongs to is the only way one can begin to correctly identify it! Although there is not a great diversity in the shape of the flowers, there is however a fascinating range of leaf form. Some species do admittedly have rather uninteresting foliage, others have such unusual leaves that they could be grown as a foliage plant in their own right. Leaves can be boat-shaped, coiled into corkscrew shapes, or narrow and wavy like a slithering snake. Even some of the otherwise uninteresting species have unusual ornamentation on their leaves, the most frequent being numerous, small glands. These glands are like stubble with sticky tips, resulting in the leaves attracting dust and dirt, the occasional small insect and, in gardens, lint and hair! Some of the most noteworthy species are described below: Albuca abyssinica A member of subgenus Pallastema. Flowers yellowish with some green. Flowering any time of the year, particularly in summer. Evergreen to winter-deciduous. Several species, such as A. angolensis and A. melleri, are now considered part of this species. Albuca clanwilliamigloria A member of subgenus Falconera. Flowers drooping, golden yellow, almost orange! Plants very tall, at around 6-7 feet (2 m). Bulb sometimes produces small bulblets. Flowering late winter to spring. Winter-growing, summer-dormant. Albuca flaccida A member of subgenus Albuca. Known for many years as A. canadensis - thankfully this absurd name has now been disallowed! Flowers yellowish green, nodding, strongly and pleasantly perfumed. Flowering late winter and spring. Winter-growing, summer-dormant. This species produces copious seed which is easily dispersed by the wind, and has become naturalized in south-western Australia. Albuca hallii A member of subgenus Albuca. Leaves corkscrew-shaped, glandular. Flowers nodding, yellowish. A dwarf species, growing to only 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) tall. Unique among the winter-growers in flowering in autumn, often before the leaves have fully developed. Not in cultivation (yet!). Albuca humilis A member of subgenus Mitrotepalum. Flowers white with a green stripe which ages to brown, only 1 or 2 in number. Leaves few, very narrow. As its name implies, a dwarf plant, only about 4 inches (10 cm) high. Summer-growing/flowering, winter-dormant. May be cold-hardy. Albuca jacquinii A member of subgenus Falconera. Supposedly a 'form' of A. viscosa. Leaves narrow, glandular, corkscrewed at their tips, otherwise straight. Flowers bright yellow with a green stripe, nodding, rather dainty, strongly and sweetly perfumed. Flower scape quite slender, also glandular. Grows to about 12 inches (30 cm) or more tall. Flowering late winter and early spring. Winter-growing, summer dormant. Has unusually small seeds for an Albuca. Albuca maxima A member of subgenus Albuca. Flowers white with a green stripe, nodding or drooping. Leaves somewhat succulent and rigid, deeply channeled, covered with a gray powdery bloom. Quite tall, 5-6 feet (1.5-1.8 m). Flowering late winter and spring. Winter-growing, with a very short summer dormancy. This species also produces copious seed, and has reportedly become naturalized in Italy. Formerly known as A. altissima. Albuca nelsonii A member of subgenus Mitrotepalum. Flowers erect, white with a green stripe that becomes reddish-brown with age. Leaves evergreen, bright green, narrowly triangular, numerous. Bulb partially exposed above ground, multiplying rapidly. About 3-4 feet (90-120 cm) high. Flowering late spring and early summer. Sometimes incorrectly distributed as A. altissima. Albuca pendula A member of subgenus Pallastema. Flowers yellow-green. Notable in having extremely long (to 6 feet / 2 m), fairly broad, floppy leaves. In its native Arabia it grows on cliff faces, where its leaves can dangle freely. Summer-growing. Albuca shawii A member of subgenus Falconera. Flowers yellow and green, nodding. Leaves narrow, glandular, reputedly smelling of aniseed when crushed! Summer-growing/flowering, winter dormant. A. trichophylla is synonymous. Albuca spiralis A member of subgenus Albuca. Flowers green with pale yellow margins, nodding. Sweetly scented, reportedly of butter and vanilla! Leaves narrow and glandular, wavy like a snake to spirally twisted. Flowering late winter to mid-spring. Winter-growing, summer-dormant. The winter-growing species are cultivated like any other Cape bulb, often with greater ease. Although Albuca maxima does appear to tolerate summer watering it, like all the winter-growing species, fare better kept dry but not hot in summer. Because most species rarely produce offsets, growing from seed is the best way to increase stocks, and is usually the only way to obtain most species. All species, however, are extremely easily raised from seed, sown at about the same time adult plants come into active growth. Fresh seed often germinate within a week of sowing, often with 100% germination. Seedlings usually flower in their third year. Julian Slade