Ledebouria cooperi versatility

The variable leaves of Ledebouria cooperi are sometimes spotted or blotched on top, longitudinally striped below. Several young plants in picture have sprouted single leaves. One to four leaves are normally grown from the bulbs, clasping the stem base. The less common form of stripes on the upper leaf surfaces is shown here. There are also plants bearing unmarked green leaves, on upper or both surfaces.

The species makes searching for answers a bit longer in dealing with these inconsistent forms. One of the plants in picture at least reciprocated by the special effort of flowering when still so young. Its flowers are about white or greenish white, not the common colour. More searching! It turns out that greenish, white, lilac and mauve flowering forms all exist for the species. Widely distributed botanically is sometimes similar to well-travelled for humanity: more stories to tell.

The plant features in traditional medicine relating to childbirth. Also, in the treatment of some cattle disease (Manning, 2009; Germishuizen and Clarke, 2003; Pooley, 1998; Van Wyk and Malan, 1997; iNaturalist).