 |
A few years ago I sowed seed supplied as Rhodophiala araucana BCW.5154. I was told that it was yellow
flowered and easy to grow, both of which made me a little suspicious. Unfortunately it has flowered and this is
Habranthus tubispathus. Pretty but no Rhodophiala ! The Pacific Bulb Society informs me that: "Rhodophiala araucana (Phil.) Traub (or Zephyranthes araucana (Phil.) Nic.García) is a summer-grower. It is reported to be polyploid (2n=54). Seedlings have produced various shades from very pale pink (near white) to peach and bright scarlet-red." A description in the AGS online encyclopaedia says: "Leaves linear-sickleshaped, somewhat arching, 9-16cm long by 3-6mm wide, fully grown at flowering time. Stems 12-25cm tall. Flowers solitary or in pairs, fairly widely expanded funnel-shaped, 3.2-3.7cm long, reputedly red, pink or yellow with stamen filaments of varying lengths, summer in the wild. Chile and Argentina on rocky slopes at 1700-1900m. A very variable species, some variants perhaps deserving separate specific rank." |
|
| 19th August 2018 | ||