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Dichelostemma volubile - (Kellogg.)A.A.Heller.

Common Name Snake Lily, Twining snakelily
Family Alliaceae
USDA hardiness 8-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Clay or granite, bushy or open slopes below 750 metres in California, where it clambers over shrubs[71].
Range South-western N. America - California.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Dichelostemma volubile Snake Lily, Twining snakelily


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Calibas
Dichelostemma volubile Snake Lily, Twining snakelily
http://flickr.com/photos/randomtruth/

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Dichelostemma volubile is a CORM growing to 3.6 m (11ft 10in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in flower in July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Brodiaea volubilis. (Moriere.)Baker. D. californicum. Stropholirion californicum.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Corm - raw or cooked[105, 161, 257].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a rich sandy loam and a well-drained soil[1]. Succeeds in most soils and situations so long as the ground is well-drained[42]. Likes plenty of moisture whilst in growth, followed by a warm dry period in late summer to autumn[200]. Plants are not very hardy and may require protection in severe winters[1]. This can be provided by applying a good organic mulch such as dry bracken in late autumn and removing it in the spring. Alternatively, you can cover the ground with a cloche or similar device. Plants are susceptible to rot in wet winters. Plants are often found growing with Rhus toxicodendron in the wild[90]. A very ornamental plant, it can flower in 2 years from seed.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a free-draining compost in a cold frame[200]. Sow stored seed in spring in a cold frame[175]. Seedlings are prone to damping off and so should be kept well ventilated[175]. Germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c[175]. If the seed is sown thinly enough, it can be grown on for its first year without transplanting and then the dormant bulbs can be planted 2/3 to a pot. Otherwise prick out the seedlings when large enough to handle, planting them 2/3 to a pot. Grow on the plants in a greenhouse for at least two years before planting out in late spring after the last expected frosts. Division in autumn of offsets that have reached flowering size[1]. Dig up the clumps of bulbs and replant the larger ones into their permanent positions. It is best to pot up the smaller ones and grow them on for a year in a cold frame before planting them out.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (California)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Dichelostemma pulchellumWild HyacinthCorm0.6 4-8  LMNDM401

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(Kellogg.)A.A.Heller.

Botanical References

171270

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

JAY M SILVERMAN   Fri May 13 00:51:03 2005

GOOD DAY, WHY DOES YOUR SITE NOT TELL YOU HOW TO PRONOUNCE GINUS AND SPECIES. IT WOULD HELP A LOT! THANKS, JAY M SILVERMAN

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Subject : Dichelostemma volubile  
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