Lachenalia?

[Diane Whitehead]

In bloom now, in the part of the garden that receives the contents of lost-label pots.

It looks like a Lachenalia, but the only lost label one I've grown recently was
L reflexa in 2002, and it is supposed to be yellow.  Of course, incorrectly labelled
seeds might have been sent to the exchange.

The flower stem is 7 cm high, and the two leaves are 18 cm long, with a reddish
tip.  No scent.

[ArnoldT]

Diane:

L. reflexa is yellow.

Have you considered a Muscari?

[fermi de Sousa]

Hi Diane,
might it be a muscari or bellevalia? The buds have that pinched look to them,
cheers
fermi

[Diane Whitehead]

The flowers are peculiar.  Fermi mentioned they were pinched, but even
odder is that they are completely closed with what looks like a flat cover
with a design on it.  There is no indication that a pollinator could get in.
..............

I've just checked all the Bellevalia photos on the Pacific Bulb Society wiki,
and B dubia has patterned raised ends to begin with, and then finally
opens.   I grew seeds of it from the1998  RHS Lily Group exchange, donated by
A.Edwards.

So I guess that is it.  Thank you!

[ashley]

I'd suggest Muscari macrocarpum, particularly if the purplish flowers turn more yellow as they mature and are usually scented.

[Diane Whitehead]

Well, Ashley,  I did plant some bulbs of Muscari macrocarpum Golden Fragrance
in that area, but never guessed they would start out looking so dark.  I will
keep an eye on them to see if they do turn yellow and produce a scent.

Thanks!