Lachenalia, which belongs to the Hyacinthaceae family, is a genus of bulbous plants from southern Africa. The genus consists of nearly 130 species, most of which are quite short in stature with only a few exceeding 15cm. Many have large, eye-catching and ornamental flowers in an assortment of colours ranging from sea-green or blue to rich red and clear bright pink, often accompanied by attractively marked leaves. A handful of species are found in Namibia, but most are South African endemics with the greatest diversity found in the Western Cape. The genus name Lachenalia commemorates the Swiss botanist Prof. Werner de Lachenal (1739-1800) who was stationed at the University of Basel during the late 18th century. Propagation from seed is easy and straightforward and they are well suited to rockeries and being grown in pots.

Lachenalia ameliae is a rare and near threatened South African endemic perennial flowering geophyte distributed on clay flats from Ceres to Montagu (Northwest Cape, Roggeveld, Little Karoo) where they often grow in the shade of shrubs or rocks. Plants grow from 4 to 11 cm tall and have 1 to 2 lanceolate leaves that stay on the ground and sometimes have long straight hairs on the upper surface. The greenish yellow flowers have no flower stalks, and the anthers are included in the flower. Flowering occurs in early spring during the months of August and September.