Small bulb, any ideas?

[grannysmith]

I acquired this small bulb the other day and have no idea what it is. The foliage is a bit like babiana but it has brown lines on the leaves. The flowers are tiny, only about 1/4" wide, medium pink with a white centre - not clearly seen unless you peer into the flower, and 6 petals. I have tried repeatedly to get a good photo, but this is the best I can do. At least it shows the foliage. The whole plant is barely 6" tall

[Anthony Darby]

Don't know what your bulb is, but your lawn certainly need some TLC.

[grannysmith]

  Thanks for noticing! It is a bit hard to keep a lawn green with temps in the 30's and water very scarce due to lack of winter rains. The plants are more important. The grass will grow again if, and when, it rains.

[fermi de Sousa]

The brown striped leaves makes me think that it might be what used to be called Scilla adlamii, but is now ?? Ledebouria? Not sure, as I still prefer the old name! But the flowers should be a small spike of pinky-purple bells.
cheers
fermi

[Maggi Young]

I think that Scilla/Ledebouria (?) has spotty,  rather succulent leaves, Fermi, doesn't it?
I am inclined to some sort of Lapeirousia ( haven't they had their names changed, too?) or an Ixia maybe?

[fermi de Sousa]

Maggi, Ledebouria (syn Scilla) socialis is the one most commonly seen and is as you describe "succulent with spotty leaves".
Ledbouria cooperi (syn Scilla adlamii) has brown striped foliage and from a distance it appears that the foliage is pleated! The flowers, however, are green-centred, pink stars in short spikes.
Here's a link to the PBS wiki site: http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/files/Ledebouria/Ledebouria_cooperi.jpg
with a picture of what I call Scilla adlamii.
Do the flowers look the same as yours, Marjorie?
cheers
fermi

[grannysmith]

Thanks Fermi, I googled ledebouria cooperi and that is exactly what it is. The centres on mine have now turned green after the flowers have been open for a day or so. Thanks so much everybody, for your help. I hate having plant with no name.

[fermi de Sousa]

Marjorie,
I hate having the name (label) and no plant!
cheers
fermi