Androcymbium is an Old World genus in the family Colchicaceae, which comprises a group of flowering bulbs related to the lilies. The plants grow from bulb-like corms. The flowers are usually small and held inside bracts. The bracts may be larger and more colorful than the flower petals. The flowers are borne as an umbel on a short stalk that is usually below ground. The leaves are often in a rosette such that they lay spread out on the surface of the ground. Foliage is deciduous and disappears in the dormant season, which may be either winter or summer, depending on the species.

	Androcymbium europaeum is one of the few non-African members of this mainly South African genus. It is found only in a small area in Spain. It has large white flowers about 2 inches across. They usually have pink or brown striations in the petals. In this species, the bracts are green and not particularly prominent. Long, pointed leaves sprawl out around the plant. This species grows in winter, as do most bulbs from Mediterranean climates.
	Androcymbium melanthioides ("Pyjama Flower") is native to Africa. The prominent bracts are white with pink veins. The long pointed leaves spread out flat on the ground. According to Manning, Goldblatt and Snijman in "The Color Encyclopedia of Cape Bulbs," this species ranges from the Karoo in South Africa clear up into tropical Africa.
	Androcymbium pulchrum is endemic to Namaqualand in South Africa. It has pink flowers enclosed in two large purplish red bracts. The 2 leaves are broadly lance-shaped. In our weak winter sunshine (if any!) here in central Indiana, the bracts of A. pulchrum do not develop much red color. According to Manning, Goldblatt and Snijman in "The Color Encyclopedia of Cape Bulbs," this species now properly known as Androcymbium latifolium.

CULTURE

The bulbs are actually corms. When you receive new bulbs in the early autumn, you should plant them as soon as possible. They are tender and will probably not survive freezing weather, so they should be grown in pots in cold climates. Some species grow in winter and need a dry summer rest; they will need to spend the winter in the greenhouse. Others grow in summer rainfall areas and need a dry winter rest period.

Other Sources of Information

• Bulbs, Revised Edition, by John E. Bryan, Timber Press, Portland (2002).
  
• RHS Manual of Bulbs, John Bryan and Mark Griffiths, Eds., Timber Press (1995).
  
• The Color Encyclopedia of Cape Bulbs, John Manning, Peter Goldblatt, & Dee Snijman, Timber Press, Portland and Cambridge (2002).
  
• Cape Bulbs, Richard L. Doutt, Timber Press, Portland and Cambridge (1994).
  
• Namaqualand. South African Wild Flower Guide 1, Annelise Le Roux, Ted Schelpe, & Zelda Wahl, Botanical Society of South Africa, Cape Town (1988).
  
• Karoo. South African Wild Flower Guide 6, David Shearing & Katryn van Heerden, Botanical Society of South Africa, Cape Town (1994).
  
• Nieuwoudtville. South African Wild Flower Guide 9, John Manning & Peter Goldblatt, Botanical Society of South Africa, Cape Town (1997).