About Acis trichophylla Sweet ex G.Don
Acis trichophylla is a bulbous perennial plant, which grows up to 30 centimetres (12 inches) tall, though it is usually shorter. Each bulb typically produces three very narrow leaves, which emerge before the flowers. Each leaf grows up to 18 centimetres (7.1 inches) long, and is at most 1 millimetre wide. Flowering occurs in late winter or early spring. The flowers are white, sometimes with pink tints, or occasionally entirely pink. Between two and four flowers are arranged on a stem (scape) that is roughly the same length as the leaves, or longer. Each individual flower is carried on a long stalk (pedicel) that can reach 45 to 60 millimetres long. Each flower has six tepals, 12–20 millimetres long, with pointed tips, that open widely to form a bell shape. The two spathes are shorter than the pedicels, and the style is slightly longer than the stamens.
Acis trichophylla occurs naturally in central and southern Portugal, south-central and south-western Spain, and throughout the Mediterranean region of Morocco. It grows in dry sandy ground.
This species is cultivated as an ornamental bulb. It needs protection from frost, and long periods of warm, dry conditions during summer, so it is recommended to grow it in an alpine house or a bulb frame. If it is not planted deeply, around 15 centimetres (6 inches) deep, it tends to split into small bulbs that do not flower.
