 |
I was given a dormant bulb in a pot and so far it has not shown signs of life. Plantzafrica says: "Strumaria truncata is a charming bulbous plant, little known and unusual in cultivation. Its globose bulb has a long neck and is covered with several layers of pale brown outer tunics. It produces a most attractive fan of up to six erect, usually spirally twisted leaves about 150 mm long and 10 mm wide. The lower parts of the green or greyish-green leaves are surrounded by a striking deep reddish-maroon aerial sheath (known as a cataphyll in botanical terms) which supports the base of the leaves. Strumaria truncata is the only species in the genus that produces this curious aerial sheath. The flowering period is April to June in the Southern Hemisphere, and individual flowers are quite long-lasting, remaining attractive for about ten to twelve days. Strumaria truncata occurs in the western parts of the Northern Cape, usually on south-facing slopes of rocky outcrops, in sandy or clay soils." Graham Duncan says: "Widespread across the semi-arid northern winter-rainfall zone, S. truncata occurs from the northern Richtersveld south to Klawer (Snijman 1994). It is common in central and southern Namaqualand and in the southern Knersvlakte, growing mostly in open, sandy or stoney flats in clayey soils in full sun, often in dende colonies. Flowering commences in mid-autumn, usually in the absence of leaves, and is especiaslly prolific after early autumn rains. The leaves are green throughout winter, dying back in spring." |
|
| 20th March 2023 | ||