Albuca

These are perennial herbs growing from [[bulb]]s. The stem is sheathed in leaves with linear to strap-shaped blades.<ref name=FZ_Albuca/> They can be 8 centimeters to well over one meter long and are flat or keeled. They are generally fleshy and sappy with a [[Mucilage|mucilaginous]] juice that inspired the common name "slime lilies".<ref name=Mann08/> The flowers of some species are scented, especially at night. They are borne in [[raceme]]s, usually slender, but flat-topped in some species. The flowers may be on stiff, or slender, nodding stalks,<ref name=Mann08/> held erect or drooping. The six [[tepal]]s are white to yellow and each has a green or brown stripe down the center. The outer three tepals spread open, while the inner three are connivent, curving inward so that the tips meet.<ref name=FZ_Albuca/> There are six [[stamen]]s, which have wings at the bases that wrap around the ovary at the center of the flower. Some species have six fertile stamens, and in others the outer stamens are [[staminode]]s which do not produce pollen.<ref name=John12/> The fruit is a rounded or oval three-lobed capsule containing shiny black seeds.<ref name=FZ_Albuca/>

These are perennial herbs growing from [[bulb]]s. The stem is sheathed in leaves with linear to strap-shaped blades.<ref name=FZ_Albuca/> They can be 8 centimeters to well over one meter long and are flat or keeled. They are generally fleshy and sappy with a [[Mucilage|mucilaginous]] juice that inspired the common name "slime lilies".<ref name=Mann08/> The flowers of some species are scented, especially at night. They are borne in [[raceme]]s, usually slender, but flat-topped in some species. The flowers may be on stiff, or slender, nodding stalks,<ref name=Mann08/> held erect or drooping. The six [[tepal]]s are white to yellow and each has a green or brown stripe down the center. The outer three tepals spread open, while the inner three are connivent, curving inward so that the tips meet.<ref name=FZ_Albuca/> There are six [[stamen]]s, which have wings at the bases that wrap around the ovary at the center of the flower. Some species have six fertile stamens, and in others the outer stamens are [[staminode]]s which do not produce pollen.<ref name=John12/> The fruit is a rounded or oval three-lobed capsule containing shiny black seeds.<ref name=FZ_Albuca/>

The three inner tepals can be closed firmly, raising the question of how [[pollinator]]s might reach the [[gynoecium|stigma]] inside to deposit [[pollen]].<ref name=John12/> In a study of the interaction between pollinators and ''Albuca'' flowers, [[megachile|leafcutter bees]] were observed prying open the tepals and squeezing through to obtain the [[nectar]] inside. In the process, they left pollen on the tips of the tepals, where it absorbed fluid, [[germination|germinated]], and fertilized ovules. This was the first known case of flower petals performing the function of the stigma.<ref name=John12/> The only thing even distantly similar is ''[[Lacandonia]]'' where the pollen tube travels down the stamen, across the base and up the pistils to pollinate from below.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}

The three inner tepals can be closed firmly, raising the question of how [[pollinator]]s might reach the [[gynoecium|stigma]] inside to deposit [[pollen]].<ref name=John12/> In a study of the interaction between pollinators and ''Albuca'' flowers, [[megachile|leafcutter bees]] were observed prying open the tepals and squeezing through to obtain the [[nectar]] inside. In the process, they left pollen on the tips of the tepals, where it absorbed fluid, [[germination|germinated]], and fertilized ovules. This was the first known case of flower petals performing the function of the stigma.<ref name=John12/> The only thing even distantly similar is ''[[Lacandonia schizmatica]]'' where the pollen tube travels down the stamen, across the base and up the pistils to pollinate from below.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}<ref>{{cite journal | last= Mestel | first= Rosie | date= January 1995 | title= Is that a Pistil in Your Pocket? | journal= Discover | volume= 16 | issue= 1 | pages= 88-89}}</ref>

==Systematics==

==Systematics==