HAWORTHIA AND SUCCULENT AUCTION



This blog is dedicated to plants from desert regions around the world as well as plants that have adapted to withstand arid conditions, but do not occur in real deserts. Many of the plants are found in arid semi-desert regions. There will be a greater emphasis on succulent plants, but others will also be included. This blog deals with desert plants of the Americas, Africa, Arabia and others. We are situated in South Africa and South African plants are likely to feature more dominantly. The pictures taken are from our private botanical desert garden at Leopoort near Oudtshoorn, from plants in nature, as well as other collections.


Also visit out sister blog Desert Plants Images




Showing posts with label Ammocharis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ammocharis. Show all posts

Ammocharis coranica


Ammocharis coranica is widely distributed in many parts of South Africa as well as some of its neighbouring countries.

The large growing bulbs occur in desert-like as well as subtropical areas.

Ammocharis coranica is often referred to as a summer growing species. This not entirely true as the plants are winter growing in the winter rainfall areas. In cultivation however, the plants grow at any time of the year if they receive water.

The beautiful flowers vary in colour from creamish white to pink or even red depending partly on their natural distribution. There is also variation in the leaf arrangement and their inclination to the ground. At many Eastern Cape localities the leaves lie in a neatly shaped pattern almost flat on the ground. Near Oudtshoorn in the arid Little Karoo the rather shapeless leaf arrangement tends to be more upright.

Flowering time, at least in the winter rainfall areas, is in autumn. The fleshy seeds develop immediately after flowering and germinate unaided.

The bulbs are easy to grow from seed and should preferably be sown in a sandy soil. It takes many years for the bulbs to reach flowering size. In 2010 six year old Ammocharis coranica seedlings at Leopoort had not flowered yet.


Ammocharis coranicaAmmocharis coranica from Kommadagga in the Eastern Cape.


Ammocharis coranicaAmmocharis coranica near Oudtshoorn.


Ammocharis coranicaAmmocharis coranica with pinkish cream flowers.

Ammocharis longifolia


Ammocharis longifolia, or Poison Bulb (Gifbol Afr.) has a wide distribution in the Western Cape, Northern Cape and Namibia.

The plants are normally found in desert landscape and flowers appear in the late summer months.

Ammocharis longifolia was previously known as Cybistetes longifolia.

Like some other members of the Ammarylidaceae family, Ammocharis longifolia produces seed that germinates unaided and immediately after the fruits ripen. The leaves appear after flowering and the plants grow during the winter months.


Ammocharis longifoliaAmmocharis longifolia in habitat in the Tanqua Karoo south of Sutherland. An extremely barren and hot area.


Ammocharis longifoliaThe flower colour of Ammocharis longifolia varies in different shades of pink and white.

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