Slime Lily albuca
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- al-BEW-kah
- Description
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This is a genus of perennial bulbs in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae) native to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula and contains about 117 different species. The common name slime lilies refers to the mucous-like juice in the leaves. There are both evergreen and deciduous species.
They generally prefer full sun and well-drained sandy soil. Propagation is by division of the off-sets. They can be anywhere form 8 inches to 4 feet tall.
The flowers are yellow or white with a green or brown stripe down the center of each tepal. They are on stems that can be erect to nodding and are born in clusters. Leaves are often strap-like, thick and contain a mucous-like substance. They vary widely in size.
The species will determine the use of these plants as some are not frost tolerant and some are cold tolerant.
Diseases, Insect Pests and Other Plant Problems: No significant issues.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Albuca
- Family:
- Asparagaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Africa, from the Mediterranean to South Africa
- Distribution:
- Have been introduced into Arkansas, Mexico, and Western Australia.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- sandy soil
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Ovoid three-parted capsule containing black, flattened seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Radial
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Inflorescence is a raceme with yellow or white tepals that have a green or red stripe on each. They can be erect of nodding. Flowers are scented, especially at night. Six tepals can be all open or have the inner three curve inward so the tips meet. Flowers usually appear with the leaves.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rubbery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Leaf Shape:
- Filiform
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are produced at the same time as the flowers, filiform to lanceolate. The leaves can be glabrous (smooth) or pubescent (hairy) and 8 to 40 inches long depending on the species. Leaves sheath the stem.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Landscape Theme:
- Cutting Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Humidity
