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Bulbinella hookeri - (Hook.f.)Cheesem.

Common Name Maori Onion
Family Asphodelaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Northern slopes and damp places from lowland to sub-alpine pastures on North and South Islands south to latitude 42° south[44].
Range New Zealand.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Bulbinella hookeri Maori Onion


Bulbinella hookeri Maori Onion

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of bulb
Bulbinella hookeri is a BULB growing to 0.7 m (2ft 4in) by 0.3 m (1ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from July to August. 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 and neutral 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

Anthericum hookeri.

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Root - fleshy[173, 187]. No further details are given.

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

An easily grown plant so long as it is in a moist peaty neutral or slightly acidic soil[42, 200, 233], but it also succeeds on dry hillsides[42, 200]. Shade tolerant[1]. Plants only succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of Britain, they are hardy to about -5°c[187], tolerating light short-lived frosts[200]. A plant is growing in the rock garden at Cambridge Botanical Gardens. It is in an open position but does not receive a lot of direct sunlight[K]. This species is becoming much more common in the wild because it is not eaten by grazing animals nor is it killed by burning[187].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Sow stored seed in a greenhouse as early in the year as possible. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 13°c[138]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first two winters, planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in the spring. Best done as the plants come into growth. Pot the divisions up and grow them on in a cold frame until they are established then plant them out in the summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

AUSTRALASIA: New Zealand (North Island)

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

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

(Hook.f.)Cheesem.

Botanical References

44200

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Alison Shearer   Mon Jul 4 14:12:06 2005

There are several clumps growing in Crathes Castle Garden in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. This is a very sheltered walled garden on the dry eastern side of Scotland. They flower in June and are a floppy mess by July.

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Subject : Bulbinella hookeri  
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