Eucomis amaryllidifolia is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, native to the Cape Provinces.[1] It is a short, summer-flowering bulbous plant, with a dense spike (raceme) of yellowish-green flowers topped by a "head" of leafy bracts. In Afrikaans it is called kliplelie ('rock lily').[2]
| Eucomis amaryllidifolia | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asparagaceae |
| Subfamily: | Scilloideae |
| Genus: | Eucomis |
| Species: | E. amaryllidifolia
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| Binomial name | |
| Eucomis amaryllidifolia | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Description
editEucomis amaryllidifolia is a short summer-growing bulbous plant, 9–20 cm (3+1⁄2–8 in) tall. Its bulb is more or less spherical, 3–4 cm (1+1⁄8–1+5⁄8 in) across, with a dark brown outer tunic. Five or six leaves emerge from the bulb, 13–30 cm (5–12 in) long and 1.5–4 cm (5⁄8–1+5⁄8 in) across. The margins of the leaves are wavy. The inflorescence is a densely packed raceme with 30–50 individual flowers. The raceme is topped by a head or "coma" formed from 13 to 20 bracts about 3 cm (1+1⁄8 in) long. The somewhat sweetly scented flowers have six yellowish green tepals, 6–8 mm (1⁄4–5⁄16 in) long by 4–5 mm (5⁄32–3⁄16 in) wide. The ovary is greenish yellow. The seeds are glossy and black.[2]
It flowers in summer and early autumn (January to March in its native South Africa).[2]
Taxonomy
editEucomis amaryllidifolia was first described by John Gilbert Baker in 1878.[1] He referred to the leaves as "Amaryllis-like" in contrast with the broader leaves of E. undulata (now a synonym of E. autumnalis), which it otherwise resembled.[3] In 1972, William Frederick Reyneke considered the species to be merely a variety of E. autumnalis, but then, in 1980, elevated it to a subspecies, as E. autumnalis subsp. amaryllidifolia. However, later research showed that E. amaryllidifolia was one of the smaller diploid species of Eucomis, with 2n = 2x = 30, whereas E. autumnalis was one of the larger tetraploid species, with 2n = 4x = 60. Accordingly, E. amaryllidifolia is now accepted as a full species.[2]
Distribution and habitat
editEucomis amaryllidifolia is native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa, and in particular the Eastern Cape,[2] possibly extending into the Orange Free State.[4] It grows on rocky slopes and ridges, in full sun.[2]
Cultivation
editEucomis amaryllidifolia was not in general cultivation as of October 2018[update]. In the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, it is grown in pots in an open, slightly acid medium. The pots are placed in a sunny position and watered well in summer, but kept completely dry in winter. A high potash fertilizer is used. The bulbs are considered to be hardy down to −5 °C (23 °F). Propagation is by seed, bulb slicing, leaf cuttings and tissue culture. Mealybugs can be a significant pest.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Eucomis amaryllidifolia", World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, retrieved 2018-10-10
- ^ a b c d e f g Duncan, G. (2013), "755. Eucomis amaryllidifolia Asparagaceae", Curtis's Botanical Magazine, 30: 49–55, doi:10.1111/curt.12016
- ^ Baker, J.G. (1878), "New Garden Plants", The Gardeners' Chronicle, 10: 492, retrieved 2018-11-02
- ^ Compton, James (1990). "Eucomis L'Heritier". The Plantsman. 12 (3): 129–139.