STRUMARIA MASSONIELLA

This member of the Amaryllidaceae family was given this name by Deidré Anne Snijman in 1994. It is found from Kamiesberg to Loeriesfontein in north-western South Africa, growing in a sandy soil with some water and lots sun. The bulb can grow to two centimetres in diameter, the entire plant to five centimetres in height - although the leaves reach thirteen centimetres. The flowers are pale pink with an outer olive-green stripe.

The genera name from Latin, struma; 'a cushion-shaped swelling', and - aria which relates to 'possessing', a name that refers to the swollen base of the style. The species name is named for its resemblance with Massonia after Francis Masson, 1741-1805. This is a winter-grower, but must be quite opportunistic.