The shaving-brush-like flowerheads of this species can be admired in the Mountains House.
Containing eight species the bulbous genus Massonia belongs to the Asparagaceae (asparagus family), and is named in honour of Francis Masson (1741 – 1805), Kew’s first plant hunter, who spent much time botanising in South Africa. Members of the genus all occur in South Africa; have a pair of fleshy leaves, which spread at or just above ground level; and fragrant, cylindrical flowers held in globose, umbel-like heads, which are produced in autumn. M. pustulata has a bulb up to 2.5cm round, a globose head of pink, white, or green-tinged flowers, and distinctive rounded or oblong leaves whose upper surface is covered in small swellings resembling blisters or pimples, and it is from these that the specific name is derived. A native of Cape Province, this species is winter growing and summer dormant, occurring in areas where summers are hot and dry. In cultivation M. pustulata requires pot cultivation in a gritty, free-draining mix, and protection from rain and frost.