Elephant's Eye Veltheimia capensis

Veltheimia capensis is a perennial bulb or geophyte, which is a perennial plant that propagates in the spring from an underground organ.  The bulb is egg-shaped and fleshy, and has a prominent basal plate.  From this plate, the fleshy roots arise.  Typically, the upper portion of the bulb is exposed.  The bulb is enclosed with layers of papery, creamy white outer scales, which are also referred to as a tunic.  

Its native habitat, it is a winter-growing bulb that has adapted to cool moist winters and hot, dry summers.  In early fall, a new rosette of leaves emerges and may include the flower head.  Foliage growth takes place in fall to early winter, flowering in mid-fall into mid-winter.  In the spring, the leaves die back and the bulb becomes dormant until the early fall when the cycle begins again.

The seed capsules will detach from the seed head and be dispersed by the wind.  The capsules will dissipate in the summer heat, with the seeds remaining.  The seeds will germinate with the arrival of somewhat cooler temperatures in the fall.  The flowers arising from the disbursed seeds will retain the color of the host plant.

Boasting both showy flowers and foliage, Sand Lily makes an excellent container plant for a bright location on your patio or as an addition to a rock garden.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Failure to keep the dormant bulbs dry during the summer months can result in fungal diseases.  

It may not bloom every year, some years displaying just its foliage.

More information on Veltheimia.