1079.000 Albuca L.

Bulbous, perennial herbs. Leaves linear to lorate, forming a tubular basal sheath around the cylindric stem. Flowers in terminal racemes. Bracts acuminate, not spurred. Perianth erect or drooping; segments 6, free or fused near the base, oblong, white or yellow with a broad green or brown central stripe; 3 outer spreading, 3 inner connivent, hooded at apex. Stamens 6, all fertile or outer 3 sterile. Filaments winged and expanded below to enfold the ovary. Capsule ovoid to spherical, 3-lobed. Seeds flat, semi-circular, black, shiny, papillose.

Comment: According to latest thinking the genus the genus Ornithogalum has been included in Albuca but until more is known about the species delimitations in Albuca sensu stricto and the results have been published in Flora Zambesiaca we keep the two genera as separate.
There is a tendency to consider only two highly variable species present in the Flora Zambesiaca area:
- Albuca abyssinica, with mostly yellow and green flowers set at an angle on short pedicels;
- Albuca kirkii, with mostly white and brownish-green flowers set straight relative to the pedicel.
One other species, Albuca setosa, is listed for some countries in the region but its true status is unclear and needs further confirmation.

Worldwide: c.50 species in Africa and Arabia

Zimbabwe: 4 taxa.