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A very beautiful species that I was vaguely aware I had been growing for a long time. Further investigation in my record shows that I got it from an AGS seed exchange
and sowed it in spring 2005. Wikipedia says: "The species is endemic to South Africa and occurs in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. It has a range of 1 200 - 5 500 km2 and there are eight to ten subpopulations. The species has lost habitat to plantations and overgrazing is also a threat." The Midlands Conservancies Forum (KwaZulu Natal) says: "The genus name is derived from the Greek word dierama, meaning “funnel”, a helpful hint to the shape of the flower. Dierama luteo-albidum is a beautiful plant that appears to be confined to a very area of south central Natal growing in open grassland at altitudes of about 915−1700 m, from Nottingham Road to Pietermaritzburg. Dierama luteo-albidum is readily distinguished from all other known species in Natal. They are solitary or in small clumps. The plant is 0.65−1 m long. The corm is densely covered with fiber tunic. Stems are long and drooping. Leaves have a cover at base, 3−4 leaves closely covering the stem and leaf bracts white to lightly flecked. Dierama luteo-albidum flowers between October to December. Flowering stalks are very slender, and are closely sheathed to the lowest branch of the inflorescence by the leaves. Inflorescence (part of the plant bearing flowers and bracts) 2−5 branched, ± 5-flowered; about 80 mm. Perianth (floral organs) white, pale cream yellow, parallel sided and bell shaped. |
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| 8th June 2024 | ||
