I found this tiny
plant in South Africa, and was told by Graham Williamson it was a Strumaria unguiculata,
but I'm pretty sure it is S. bidentata.
The fruits by Pieter Mier,
Ispotnature.org.
The flowers by Pieter Mier,
Ispotnature.org.
Clean leaves from Lifestyleseeds.co.za. |
| Author: |
Hans Schinz, 1896 | |
Family: |
AMARYLLIDACEAE |
| Origin: |
Northern Cape; South Africa,
S Namibia |
| Soil: |
Sand |
| Water: |
Minimum |
| Sun: |
Maximum |
| Thickness: |
1,5 Centimetres |
| Height: |
3 Centimetres |
| Flower: |
White |
| Propagate: |
Seeds |
| Names: |
Garieb Snowflake |
| Synonyms: |
- |
This member of the Amaryllidaceae family
was given this name by Hans Schinz in 1896. It is found in the north-western
corner of South Africa and southern Namibia, growing in a sandy soil with little water and
lots of sun. The bulb can grow to 1,5 centimetres in diameter, the entire plant
to three centimetres in height. The flowers are white.
The normal two leaves are sticky; viscid, and shifting sand
sticks to them, protecting from the next shifting sand
The genera name from Latin,
struma; 'a cushion-shaped swelling', and - aria which
relates to 'possessing', a name that refers to the swollen base of the
style. The species name means 'having two teeth'.
This is a winter-grower. Flowers
in autumn, followed by the two leaves. |
