Veltheimia capensis

Native to western and southwestern South Africa, this bulbous perennial herb forms a rosette of wavy, gray-blue leaves. It grows through the cool, moist winter season, flowers from autumn into winter in its native habitat, then loses its leaves and rests through the hot, dry summer. Its dense heads of hanging, pink-speckled tubular flowers are followed by papery, winged capsules that disperse in the wind. Dormant bulbs need to stay dry, since summer moisture can cause fungal disease. Photographed in Florida.