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Crinum bulbispermum - (Burm.f.)Milne-Redh.&Schweick.

Common Name Hardy swamplily
Family Amaryllidaceae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards One report says that the plant is toxic to mammals, but gives no indication as to the degree of toxicity.
Habitats Seasonal pools, marshes and the banks of rivers[90].
Range S. Africa - S. Transvaal and N. Natal.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Crinum bulbispermum Hardy swamplily


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs
Crinum bulbispermum Hardy swamplily
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of bulb
Crinum bulbispermum is a BULB growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.6 m (2ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from June to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

C. longifolium. C. capense.

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Root?? A number of species in this genus have edible bulbs. Although no records have been seen for this species, it is fairly hardy in Britain and the root can be as large as a football. It is worthy of investigation[K].

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

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Easily grown in a moist soil or the garden border[90]. Requires a rich well-drained soil in a warm sheltered sunny position[188]. Plants are only hardy in the milder areas of the country, tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c[90]. It is probable that the plants may require winter protection with dry leaves or bracken[90]. Bulbs are sensitive to transplanting and may take several years to establish[200]. After this, they will usually reproduce rapidly from offsets to produce the overcrowded conditions that stimulate them to flower freely[200]. The bulbs should be planted with their necks above soil level[233]. This conflicts with another report which says that they should be planted quite deeply in the soil[1]. Only plant out good sized bulbs and do so at the end of May[1]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233]. The flowers emit a sweet, somewhat spicy odour which is especially pronounced at nightfall[245].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe, placing 2 - 3 seeds in individual pots in a greenhouse. Do not cover the seed. Sow stored seed April/May in a warm greenhouse. Once they have germinated, you can thin each pot to just one plant if required, though we have not found this to be necessary. Give an occasional liquid feed to ensure that the plants do not suffer nutritional deficiencies. Grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first 2 years, planting them out into their permanent positions in the spring. Division of offsets in April/May or in September. When divided in the spring, the bulbs can be planted out direct into their permanent positions, if done in September, however, they should be potted up and overwintered in the greenhouse.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

AFRICA: Lesotho, Eswatini, South Africa (Cape Province, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Transvaal)

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
Cardiocrinum cordatum Bulb1.8 6-9  LMHSM20 
Cardiocrinum giganteum Bulb1.8 6-9  LMHSM011
Crinum asiaticumAsian Poison BulbBulb1.2 7-10  LMHNM01 
Crinum flaccidumMurray LilyBulb0.6 9-11  LMNM20 
Leucocrinum montanumSand Lily, Common starlilyPerennial0.2 5-9  LMHNM11 

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

(Burm.f.)Milne-Redh.&Schweick.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

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Subject : Crinum bulbispermum  
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