Massonia pygmaea subsp. pygmaea seeds grow into the tiniest of all Massonia — a miniature bulbous geophyte endemic to the subtropical biome of the south-western Cape Province of South Africa. The epithet pygmaea means 'pygmy' or 'dwarf', reflecting the exceptionally compact, miniature stature of this species compared to other Massonia. Like all Massonia, produces only two flat leaves spreading close to the ground on either side of the bulb, with the compact inflorescence emerging between them — in this species both the leaves and the inflorescence are exceptionally small, making the whole plant a miniature jewel of the Cape geophyte flora. Family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae.Full sun; very well-drained sandy soils; dry summer dormancy; cool wet winters — Mediterranean Cape climate. An ideal collector's bulb for pan or pot culture where the miniature scale can be fully appreciated. 'Pygmaea' = pygmy/dwarf; the smallest and most miniature of all Massonia — a Cape micro-jewel Two flat leaves and miniature inflorescence between them; all at an exceptionally small scale SW. Cape Prov. — subtropical biome; South African endemic; typical subspecies Named after Francis Masson (Kew, 1741–1805); among first documented rodent-pollinated plants Full sun; sandy soils; dry summer; Mediterranean Cape; ideal for pans/pots; Family Asparagaceae Massonia pygmaea subsp. pygmaea is the pygmy Cape bulb — the smallest of a genus of already compact geophytes, a micro-jewel of the south-western Cape flora producing its entire life cycle — two flat leaves and a miniature flower cluster — at a scale that makes it one of the most charming of all collector's Cape bulbs. IMPORTANT: Pictures show the adult plant, which is not for sale. The offer is only for seeds.
