Proiphys

[Alberto]

Hi all, I want to share with you these two species of maybe uncommon bulbs. Proiphys (Syn. Eurycles) is in the Amaryllidaceae family (now Alliaceae) and is a genus of 4-6 species ranging from South East Asia to Australia. They have a perticular leaf: it is petioled, only a few other species in the whole family have this feature! The petiole is long and channelled, the blade is Hosta-like. Interesting is that seeds sometimes germinates still attached. Here are two species I grow, P. cunninghamii (Brisbane lily) and P. amboinensis (Cardwell lily). The former is deciduous and can stay at about 7-10°C dry in winter rest. The latter is evergreen (even if you can treat as deciduous, but it is better to grow in warm and moist place all year around). Of course they are not for English gardens, but they deserve marvellously for pot culture.
Maybe any member from Australia grow other species or know where to find them, P. alba, P. infundibularis? Thank you.
Alberto
Italy

[Thomas Huber]

A great plant, Alberto!
First photo looks like Colchicum 

[Maggi Young]

This is certainly uncommon to me, Alberto! Never saw them before.... I think it is very attractive plant... a lovely new lesson for today, thank you!

Are they sweetly scented?

[Hans J]

 

Thomas is more and more interstet for Amaryllidaceae 

[SueG]

Really very nice leaves as well as the flowers, thanks for showing this, one to look out for I think.
Sue

[Maggi Young]

Thomas is more and more interstet for Amaryllidaceae 

Yes Hans, I was just thinking that same thing!!

[Thomas Huber]

Although I'm married I turn my head to other girls from time to time 

[Alberto]

Thomas: I am without words!

Maggi: yes they are both sweetly scented.

 Alberto

[David Nicholson]

Although I'm married I turn my head to other girls from time to time 

Thomas, there is an old saying here- when you stop looking it's time to screw the lid down! The lid, being the coffin lid

[David Nicholson]

Alberto you certainly grow some lovely plants. I have learned such a lot from three threads you have introduced today.

[Alberto]

Thank you David. It is really frustrating to know there are a lot of plants one could grow and do not know where to find them!
I hope anyone can help in introducing into cultivation other unusual bulbs!
Alberto

[Lesley Cox]

Truly beautiful indeed. I like the hosta-like leaves as well.

[Paul T]

Good to see some Aussie bulbs here.    I theoretically grow both species you have pictured above, but I have flowered neither as yet.  Both were received as seeds, so they are still maturing.  I do know of someone up in the Atherton Tablelands in far North Queensland who grows these up in the mountains where they get to -10'C and they grow just fine.  I had thought they were something that needed winter protection, but maybe it is the case that some colonies will take more cold than others.  The leaves are very hosta-like as Lesley mentioned, and similarly are adored by snails. 

Unfortunately I can't help you with sources for the other two species.  I would like to grow them myself as well, but perhaps I should get the two species I already have flowering first so that I know I have them growing right. 

This genus is unusual in that it produces berries after flowering which, by the time the berry is ripe, have actually had the seed germinate inside the berry and form a complete bulb.  I was originally sent ripe red berries which when the surface was peeled off contained perfect little green bulbs inside, complete with a shoot point and basal plate for root development.  You could also see the remains of what I assume was originally the true seed.  I am assuming that this "seed" remains plugged into the food supply in the plant and this allows it to grow a bulb that fills the inside of the berry.  I am not sure I am explaining this clearly, but I found it very unusual.  Never seen anything else quite like it.  Just a little bit of trivia for you, I guess.

[Maggi Young]

Note: please see a post and photo of a Proiphys, here:Re: Australian Native Plants at the ANBG
« Reply #87 on: October 09, 2008, 09:35:40 AM »

 http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=2357.msg58188#msg58188

[Hans J]

Hi ,

for all who are interestet to see seeds of this plants is here a pic :



seeds of Proiphys cunninghamii