About Veltheimia bracteata Harv. ex Baker
Veltheimia bracteata Harv. ex Baker is a bulbous plant that produces glossy leaves. Erect flower stems grow from a rosette of basal leaves, and bloom in an oval-shaped inflorescence, which is typically surrounded by dense spikes. Individual flowers are red or orange, tubular, and pendent. Birds pollinate this species, which then produces fleshy seeds at the end of August. This species is native to the south-eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa. For cultivation, it prefers a sheltered full sun location with well-drained soil. It can tolerate low temperatures, but cannot survive freezing. Because of this, it requires winter protection under glass when grown in temperate zones. When cultivated in the United Kingdom, it has earned the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. V. bracteata can interbreed with V. capensis to produce hybrids.
