Crinum bulbispermum
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (March 2012) |
| Crinum bulbispermum | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Amaryllidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Amaryllidoideae |
| Genus: | Crinum |
| Species: | C. bulbispermum
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| Binomial name | |
| Crinum bulbispermum | |
| Synonyms | |
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Amaryllis bulbisperma Burman f.,[2](basionym) | |
Crinum bulbispermum is a herbaceous plant native to South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. It is naturalized in the Lesser Antilles, Honduras, Cuba, Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina.[4][5]
Description
The plant grows from large bulbs. It has strap shaped leaves, 50–88 cm long. The inflorescence is an umbel with 8–13 flowers, borne on a scape 40–75 cm tall. The flowers are funnel shaped and sickly-sweet scented, and are usually pink with a deep pink or red midstripe, but can range from white to red. Flowering takes place in spring and summer. The plant thrives in wet places.[1][2][6]
Cultivars and hybrids
There are some cultivars in cultivation:
- 'Alba' - pure white flowers.
- 'Backup Mother' - vigorous. Flowers medium pink with white throat.
- 'Spotty' - flowers rose-purple with odd random white spots and unpigmented, short stripes. Bred by Hannibal.
The species has also been used in a number of hybrids commonly cultivated.
- Crinum × herbertii G.Don ex Loud. (C. bulbispermum × C. scabrum)
- Crinum × powellii hort. ex Baker (C. bulbispermum × C. moorei) The most hardy of all Crinum species.
Cultivation and uses
This is one of the most commonly cultivated species, grown as an ornamental plant for its flowers. It is best grown in deep soils that receive and hold a lot of water during the growing season and should be left to grow in the same place without disturbance for many years. Plants require full sun. They also make good container plants. The species is hardy to USDA zone 6 or -10 °C if the bulb is protected. Propagation is by division or seeds. Seedlings will flower in their third or fourth year.[7]
References
- ^ a b Edgar Wolston Bertram Handsley Milne-Redhead & Herold Georg Wilhelm Johannes Schweickerdt. 1939. Journal of the Linnean Society, Botany 52(342): 161. Crinum bulbispermum
- ^ a b Burman, Nicolaas Laurens. 1768. Flora Indica: cui accedit series zoophytorum indicorum, nec non Prodromus Florae Capensis 9, as Amaryllis bulbisperma
- ^ Herbert, William, Bot. Mag. 47: t. 2121 1820, as Crinum capense
- ^ Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, Crinum bulbispermum
- ^ Biota of North America Project Crinum bulbispermum
- ^ Flora of North America Crinum bulbispermum
- ^ Amaryllids in Cultivation
