South African Bulbs/Geophytes 2019

[Maggi Young]

New lists online  from Diana Chapman of  Telos  Rare Bulbs -  supplies in USA and  abroad -  carries a range of  bulbs  not  only  from South Africa and South America

http://www.telosrarebulbs.com/
 email  rarebulbs@suddenlink.net or telosrarebulbs@suddenlink.net

[ArnoldT]

I agree with the recommendation for Diana at Telos.  She has been a honest and trustworthy bulb enthusiast for many years.

She has stood by her sales and has a wonderful blog attached to her bulb site.

She just promoted a sale  where profits were distributed to victims of the terrible California fire.

[ArnoldT]

Here's Gladiolus longicollis obtained from Telos.

It has been a steady performer for me.

The anthers are not much exposed, a characteristic that helps distinguish it from a similar looking Gladiolus tristis.

[David Nicholson]

Nice one Arnold.

[ArnoldT]

This one was a surprise.

Arrived as Gladiolus alatus and looks to be Gladiolus cunonius

Also know as spoon flower.

[ArnoldT]

I've revised my thoughts on the Gladiolus.

I believe it is now Gladiolus splendens based on the purplish bracts.

[ArnoldT]

Lachenalia quadricolor.

[PaulFlowers]

lachenalia Rosea - one of my last this year😟

[ashley]

On the BBC website, here, there's a short feature on the role of fire in fynbos ecosystems.

[YT]

Hesperantha vaginata
Silverhill Seeds No. 1310

[ArnoldT]

Gladiolus longicollis.

Anthers are included in the flower tube.

Should be strongly clove scented but not to my nose.

[Steve Garvie]

Spiloxene capensis yellow-flowered form, though it also comes in white, cream and pink.



Geissorhiza aspera -I have the World’s largest collection of this plant; all bought as various other species of Geissorhiza! 



Babiana pygmaea -a very range-restricted species from a few sites in the Darling and Malmesbury Districts in the southwestern part of the Western Cape. It has lost most of its habitat to cereal farming.



Hesperantha pilosa -this is the pale night-flowering form which opens its flowers at dusk producing a sweet scent attractive to both moths and elite “Black Ops” special services (image taken through night vision goggles).

[Rob-Rah]

Some of mine out at the moment

Geissorhiza splendidissima


Oxalis obtusa 'Elizabeth'


Oxalis obtusa 'Spring Charm'


Sparaxis elegans (white form)


Lachenalia namaquensis

[Maggi Young]

The  markings on the Sparaxis elegans (white form) are  so precise - isn't t nature  clever? 

[Gail]

The  markings on the Sparaxis elegans (white form) are  so precise - isn't t nature  clever? 

Absolutely! It certainly lives up to its name.