Ornithogalum

[Sinchets]

Well personally I have never been able to understand how the South African Ornithogalum were in the same genus as the European ones- such different flower structures for a start. To lump the Galtonis in with these seems absurd, but I suppose they will change again in a few years time when someone else wants to make a name for themselves.

[Renate Brinkers]

Simon,
it would not be the first one which got their old name back, I think.

[Sinchets]

Yes, very true, Renate.

[Sinchets]

I have been trying to work my way through the parts of the paper, "A REVISED GENERIC SYNOPSIS OF HYACINTHACEAE IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA, BASED ON MOLECULAR EVIDENCE, INCLUDING NEW COMBINATIONS AND THE NEW TRIBE PSEUDOPROSPEREAE" by J. C. MANNING, P. GOLDBLATT and M. F. FAY, which are available online.
I would be interested to hear from anybody, who knows of a site where the full paper can be viewed for free.
The abstract does state that, "A revised generic synopsis of sub-Saharan Hyacinthaceae is presented, based on a molecular phylogenetic analysis of the family. Generic rank is accorded only to reciprocally monophyletic clades that can be distinguished by recognizable morphological discontinuities, thereby permitting an appropriate generic assignment of species not included in the analysis. Three subfamilies are recognized within the region. Subfamily Ornithogaloideae, characterized by flattened or angular seeds with tightly adhering testa, is considered to include the single genus Ornithogalum, which is expanded to include the genera Albuca, Dipcadi, Galtonia, Neopatersonia and Pseudogaltonia." It does not state whether European members of the genera Ornithogalum were included in the study. The other 2 subfamilies are "Subfamily Urgineoideae, characterized by flattened or winged seeds with brittle, loosely adhering testa, comprises the two mainland African genera Bowiea and Drimia. The latter is well circumscribed by its deciduous, short-lived perianth and includes the previously recognized genera Litanthus, Rhadamanthus, Schizobasis and Tenicroa" and "Subfamily Hyacinthoideae resolves into three clades, distinguished as tribes Hyacintheae (strictly northern hemisphere and not treated further), Massonieae and Pseudoprospereae tribus nov." The paper also states that, "Full descriptions and a key to their identification are provided for all genera. New combinations reflecting the generic circumscriptions adopted here are made for most African and all Indian and Madagascan species."
So maybe the European Ornithogalum are still quite separate. 

[johnw]

I just came across a pot of Ornithogalum urophyllum x kotschyi from Vera Peck. Does anyone know this?  I don't believe it has ever flowered or of it has it must have been non-descript.

johnw

[Alessandro.marinello]

this is my preferred Ornithogalum

Ornithogalum convallarioides

[Ezeiza]

Simon, how many pages has your copy?

[Diane Clement]

I have been trying to work my way through the parts of the paper, "A REVISED GENERIC SYNOPSIS OF HYACINTHACEAE IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA, BASED ON MOLECULAR EVIDENCE, INCLUDING NEW COMBINATIONS AND THE NEW TRIBE PSEUDOPROSPEREAE" by J. C. MANNING, P. GOLDBLATT and M. F. FAY, which are available online.

The abstract that Simon quotes from is here:
http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract;jsessionid=F4F12B28D5E6DF1B38DA9DF6543679A2.tomcat1?fromPage=online&aid=214959
Since this work of 2004, there has been further work, published in "A molecular phylogeny and a revised classification of Ornithogaloideae(Hyacinthaceae) based on an analysis of four plastid DNA regions by Manning, Forest, Devey, Fay & Goldblatt in TAXON 58 (1), February 2009: 1-107 .... Three clades were identified. Clade A is recognized as the genus Albuca. Clade B comprises the genera Dipcadi and Pseudogaltonia. Clade C is the genus Ornithogalum and includes Galtonia and Neopatersonia."

The quote above is from the PBS pages:
PBS Galtonia
PBS Ornithogalum

[Alessandro.marinello]

I have had like Ornithogalum ceresianum, but creed is syn. of O. thyrsoides

[johnw]

I'm wondering if this species should be left in a pot or is it safe to put in the garden for both hardiness and weediness?

johnw

[Karaba]

True Ornithogalum orthophyllum is a mediterranean species, hardy up to at least -10°C but I think it can easily survive -15°C. I think that it also depends on the length of the cold. Growing between rocks, it loves sun and won't fight again weeds.
I said "true" because Ornithogalum orthophyllum belongs to the O. umbellatum group and these species have the same flower and are quite difficult to separate. O.orthophyllum have no bulblet, multiply by seeds and usually start growing before or during winter.

[johnw]

Yvain

Thank-you so much.  Winters here can be cold and extended, emerging in late winter is not a good idea for any plant here.  I will try a few bulbs here and send the rest to friends in British Columbia.

john