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Polyxena ensifolia

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Photo from Zelene Listy.


Photo from Biodiversityexplorer.info.


Photo from Bulbargence.com.

Author: Selmar Schönland, 1910
Family:  HYACINTHACEAE*
Origin:  Cape Provinces; South Africa
Soil:  Mix
Water:  Medium
Sun:  Medium - Maximum
Thickness:  4 Centimetres
Height:  7 Centimetres
Flower:  White- Pink - Mauve
Propagate:  Seeds/Bulbs
Names:  -
Synonyms:  Mauhlia ensifolia Thunb.
Polyxena leipoedtii,
Barker.
Lachenalia ensifolia
, J.C.Manning & Goldblatt.
Agapanthus ensifolius, Willd.
Massonia ensifolia,
Ker Gawl.
Lachenalia ensifolia subsp. maughanii, G.D.Duncan.
(Polyxena maughanii
W.F. Barker).

This member of the Hyacinthaceae family was given this name by Selmar Schönland in 1910. It is found in South Africa, growing in clay or sand, but do fine in an any well drained soil with some water and some to lots of sun. The bulb can grow to four centimetres in diameter, the leaves up to seven centimetres. The flowers are from almost white over pink to mauve.

The genera name after Polyxena, daughter of Priamos, king of Troy - the  name actually means 'the hospitable'. The species name means 'sword-shaped leaves'.   

*)Accordantly to the latest taxonomic system; APG IV 2016, Hyacinthaceae is now part of the Asparagaceae.