speckled leaves with purple underside... no idea what it is

[eco.kat]

My neighbor is moving out and left me with a bunch of plants. One, despite being in soil was identified as an orchid but I haven't got the foggiest idea what it is. It has green speckled leaves with purple undersides and stems and a bulbous-like swell at the base. Not only do I not know what it is, but I have no idea how to care for it or what media to transplant it into.

Any information would be greatly appreciated as I want this little guy to thrive.

attachment has photo

[snow]

it is not an orchid but the name seems to escape meat the moment

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

This is a difficult one to identify. There are too many different kinds of terrestrial orchids believe it or not.

Does your neighbor have a picture of it in flower?

If you can ask for any kind of name or how the person acquired it, that would be helpful. Also try to find out if this is a species or hybrid.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by snow

it is not an orchid but the name seems to escape meat the moment

I think you're right on this one.

[Bird Song Farm]

I've had this one before, I believe it is a member of the lily family. I never did find out the real I.D.
Al

[kavanaru]

neither orchid nor lily

this is Ledebouria socialis (Hyacinthaceae) from South Africa... a very nice and quite easy to grow plant... give it high light (but direct sun - even though they can tolerate it!) and a well drained soil.. let it dry between waterings and fertilize weakly (once a month 1/2 concentration or so).

[Bird Song Farm]

Thanks Ramon, if I remember correctly it had a rather insignificant, very small green flower.
Al

[eco.kat]

Thank you everyone, especially kavanaru. I can't tell you how thrilled I am to have a new addition to my rare specimen repertoire. I was very concerned about having an orchid as I know nothing about them but this is right down my alley.

[Royal]

Kat, I bet you'd do great with an orchid (or two). If you like odd or beautiful plants, you're a prime candidate for orchids. They're not really hard to grow, just a bit different than your average plant. I promise you'll enjoy watching it grow and bloom. Give it a whirl!

[eco.kat]

well, I love a challenge but right now my challenge is space. I am WAY over my head for my little city apartment and have tried over and over to whittle my collection down. Unfortunately (okay, actually fortunately) I have become the dumping ground for all of my friends' and family's sick or unwanted plants. Plus everyone seems to consider it the "perfect gift since you love plants so much". I hope eventually someone will consider a plant stand the perfect gift. Window space is prime real estate with two cats. I think orchids are in my future but I may have to live in a glass house before I have the space I do have a dendrobium that I got out of a "sick bin" for $.49 and I consider it my starter orchid... if I can ever get it out of it's quarantined area by defeating those spider mites!