Silver Squill, (Ledebouria socialis)

I've had a lazy day, again.  Lovely.  I managed to read a good section of my Maigret novel by Georges Simenon and have left the denouement for this evening.  Helena has been very busy trying out new gluten-free baking recipes which have produced wonderful smells. Whilst listening to some sport on the radio I began to clear and spring clean the cabin on the patio, which I fear will be a longer task than I'd first thought.  But at least I created some space.

Then I gathered some camera gear in the cabin to shoot a close up of a tiny flower which is just beginning to bloom profusely.  It is from the Bluebell family and has many common names including Silver Squill, Wood Hyacinth, South African Scilla, Leopard Lily and Violet Squill.

(From a web source I gathered this:)
'Distribution and habitat: Ledebouria socialis is a geophytic species of bulbous perennial plant native to the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. It grows in arid savanna in summer rainfall regions, where it is found in fine to medium grained shallow to deep well drained humus rich sandy soil. It usually grows in shade mostly in closed evergreen woodland. This species has mottled leaves enabling it to blend into its thicket backdrop.'

I first discovered it when it arrived unannounced as a tiny offshoot in the soil of a completely different house plant which I'd bought many years ago.  As it grew I noticed these wonderful tiny flowers it produces in abundance and it became a favourite indoor plant which I have been potting on ever since and slowly creating new clusters.  This bowl is covered in these stalks of flowers and the particular ones I have photographed are the first to open fully.  I have added a slightly enlarged close up of one of these flowers as an 'Extra photo'.

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