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Trachyandra tortilis

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Photo from Amazevegegarden.com.


Wild plant by Nick Helme, Inaturalist.org.


Top of the bulb  from Africa-seeds.com.


The flower close-up by Brian du Preez, Inaturalist.org.

Author:  Anna Amelia Obermeyer, 1962
Family:  ANTHERICACEAE*
Origin:  W South Africa
Soil:  Sandy - Clayish - Grit
Water:  Medium
Sun:  Maximum
Thickness:  4 Centimetres
Height:  25 Centimetres
Flower:  White - Pale Pink
Propagate:  Seeds/Bulbs/Leaves
Names:  Contorted Capespinach
Synonyms:  Anthericum salteri, F.M.Leight.
Anthericum oocarpum, Schltr. 1942
Anthericum tortile
, Baker 1896.

This member of the Anthericaceae* family was given this name by Anna Amelia Obermeyer in 1962. It is found in western South Africa, growing in a well drained soil with sand, quarts and clay, some water and lots of sun. The bulb can grow to four centimetres in diameter, the entire plant to 25 centimetres in height. The flowers are from white to light pink.

The genera name means 'round fruits'. The species name means 'twisted' for the leaves.

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

This is a winter-grower.


The flowers by Ramazan Murtazaliev, Inaturalist.org.


Drawing by Bally Arnold.