Sternbergia 2008

[Oron Peri]

Gerd,

Probably the lack of optimal conditions is the cause for this phenomenon.
in the first years I taught i missed the flowers while i was away but than i read somewhere about it...

This phenomenon occurs also in the wild, and was described allready in the 1930's by a Russian botanist.

I find some of the sternbergias to be really spoilt ans some species just refuse to set flowers if they grow in a pot.

[Anthony Darby]

For several years I have had Sternbergia colchiciflora in the alpine house in a pot. It produces seeds with no visible flowers every year. Last year I put one plant outside in a trough and it flowered. This summer the bulb must have rotted due to the damp.

[Gerdk]

Thank you, Oron.
The same ugly behaviour as a lot of violets have, they build seed without
an open flower. Not bad for the plant, only for us.
Is Sternbergia pulchella occuring in Israel? It is recorded from Lebanon
and Syria.

Gerd

[Oron Peri]

Is Sternbergia pulchella occuring in Israel? It is recorded from Lebanon
and Syria.
Gerd

Gerd,

S. pulchella does not grow in Israel.

From the short descriptions available [never saw a photo of it] I suspect it to be a form of S. colchiciflora.

Unfortunately the only way for me to check plants in Syria and Lebanon at the moment, would be from the bottom side of the bulbs...[if you know what i mean...]
My dream is to get there one day and find out all the plants we assume to grow there and for sure there are many surprises to be still discover.
Hopfully soon....

[Hans J]

Oron ,

I'm a bit surprised that St. colchiciflora flowers so late in your area -here it is always one of the first ( September ).

[Oron Peri]

Hans,

It is quite late this year, usually it blooms here from Mid October to Mid November. [Never in September]

[Gerry Webster]

S. pulchella does not grow in Israel.
From the short descriptions available [never saw a photo of it] I suspect it to be a form of S. colchiciflora.

Oron - there is an article by Brian Mathew (with photo) on S. pulchella in 'The Garden' (Jan 1993). Brian claims that it is related to S. colchiciflora  but differs in having well-developed leaves at flowering time. He  claims that there are also small morphological differences but the chromosome number is the same - 2n = 20. He proposes retaining it as a distinct species. Given the history of Sternbergia taxonomy, it seems to me an open question whether this distinction  will survive further investigation.

[Oron Peri]

Thanks Gerry,
I will try to get a copy of the journal  you have just mentioned.

 As I said it sounded to me like a form of colchiciflora, leaves hysteranthous or synanthous in some other species gave the plant a Varietal status, I'm afraid there is too little information still  on S. pulchella.

[Oron Peri]

Gerry,

Thanks to this marvelous forum I allready have a copy of the two articles,
I must agree with BM [as always...],  it does look as a species by its own!!!!

The structure of the leaves is very different from those of S. colchiciflora.

[Gerdk]

]

Gerd,
S. pulchella does not grow in Israel.
From the short descriptions available [never saw a photo of it] I suspect it to be a form of S. colchiciflora.
Unfortunately the only way for me to check plants in Syria and Lebanon at the moment, would be from the bottom side of the bulbs...[if you know what i mean...]
My dream is to get there one day and find out all the plants we assume to grow there and for sure there are many surprises to be still discover.
Hopfully soon....

Oron,
Isn't it sad that plantmaniacs cannot receive a special status? Why can't we go to all places we want to visit in search of those plants we are keen on?
I also would like to go to the Lebanon - especially for Viola libanotica - as well as Irak and Syria must be most interesting concerning  violets.
We need a special status which indicates: This is a person which is totally harmless, not interested in borders, military areas or defence works.
But I guess this will remain a dream. Nevertheless let's have a dream.

Gerd

[fermi de Sousa]

Botanic Gardens, Singapore?   

No real idea which way you would have travelled, Fermi?

Think historic India.
cheers
fermi

[fermi de Sousa]

Sternbergia colchiciflora is in flower now in many parts of north Israel.
Some photos taken last week.

I have been growing this species for the last 7 years, they flower beautifully every year.....under the surface level!!!  and so i get only seedpods regularly but can never enjoy visible flowers.

Oron,
it's wonderful to see this species growing in the wild.
How many species of Sternbergia occur in your area?
cheers
fermi

[Lvandelft]

Botanic Gardens, Singapore?   

No real idea which way you would have travelled, Fermi?

Think historic India.
cheers
fermi

Historic India tends to Rajasthan or Jodhpur, but Eucharis one would more expect
in wetter areas like Bangladesh.
You made me curious Fermi, but I like these sort of puzzles!

[Oron Peri]

it's wonderful to see this species growing in the wild.
How many species of Sternbergia occur in your area?
cheers
fermi

Fermi
We have two species: S. colchiciflora and S. clusiana.
In the area of Jerusalem there are a few colonies of S. lutea but these where probably introduced in the past by Greek monks.

[Otto Fauser]

Oron,
 the latest and definate {at the moment] work on the Sternbergia is :
 Die Gattung Sternbergia WALDST.&KIT. , by Pasche E. &H. Kerndorf [2002]
 with detailed descriptions and cultural notes , as well as coloured photos of all known species , including S. schubertii , a species described in 1840 , and lost , and rediscovered in 1998 in Antalya Prov. , Turkey.
 According to this work S. pulchella is not a form of S . colchiciflora , but is nearer to S,schubertii , but larger flowered and more handsome.
 In my eyes S. clusiana is the most beautyful species ,which only flowers here after a hot and dry summer.

    Gerd ,  I too dream about visiting countries like Lebanon , Syria , Israel ,
 Turkey , Iran , etc. to see all my beloved bulbous plants in their native habitats , but as I am getting a bit long in the tooth , it will remain a dream!
   Otto.