Albuca amboensis

Albuca amboensis is a small plant known as slime lily. It grows from a bulb and lives for several years. It is part of the Asparagaceae family. Its native range runs from Namibia to Botswana in southern Africa. Kew places it in desert or dry shrubland. Useful Tropical Plants calls its range semi-arid, with subtropical to tropical climates. This means it has low rainfall. That source also notes plants in Botswana’s mountain country. The accounts give few facts about its exact habitat.

The bulb grows below the soil. The plant has three or four leaves. These reach about 0.72 feet [0.22 metres]. Useful Tropical Plants gives an overall height of 0.59 feet [0.18 metres]. These sizes refer to different parts of the plant. They do not give a clear size range for gardens. The bulb grows up to 0.10 feet [0.03 metres] across. The sources give no width for a full-grown plant. They give no leaf details or bark and stem traits.

The flowers have both male and female organs. Both plant-use databases say insects pollinate the flowers. The sources do not state their colour or bloom season. Nor do they describe the fruit or seed shape. These gaps limit what we know of its seasonal show. The records place it in a planted garden bed. They give no more facts about its use in gardens.

Useful Tropical Plants calls for full sun and a sheltered site. It needs light soil that drains well. Plants For A Future lists sand and loam as suitable soils. Its species account lists mildly acid to mildly alkaline soil. It allows dry or moist soil, but not shade. That source is unsure how it copes with British cold. Its frost limits and winter-cover advice apply to the wider genus. They do not show how much cold this species can bear. Useful Tropical Plants suggests plants in the mountains may face frost. This gives no tested garden temperature limit.

People gather this plant from the wild for local food. The sources list raw leaves and bulbs for salads. Both databases list no known hazards, but this does not prove safety. Neither gives facts on risks to pets. They list no known uses as medicine or for other needs. The accounts name no pests or diseases. Useful Tropical Plants says to grow new plants from seed. It also lists division of dormant offsets: split off small bulbs while growth rests.