Wachendorfia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wikipedia:How to read a taxobox
How to read a taxobox
Wachendorfia thyrsiflora

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: commelinids
Order: Commelinales
Family: Haemodoraceae
Genus: Wachendorfia
Wachendorfia thyrsiflora

Wachendorfia, known as Red Root, is a genus of 25 species of cormous perennials from South Africa, only a few of which are cultivated outside their own country. Wachendorfias have basal tufts of long, narrow, pleated leaves and bear erect spikes of starry, yellow flowers in spring and summer.

Their common name stems from the red sap of the corms, used as a dye, and the bright red-orange colour of the roots themselves. Red colour is a feature of many plants in the family Haemodoraceae (Haemo = Blood).[1]

[edit] Cultivation

Slightly frost hardy, Wachendorfias trive outdoors in warm, near frost-free environments. They require moist, well drained soils in a sunny position, ideal for bog gardens.

Propagation is via seed or division.[2]


[edit] References

  1. ^ Gardeners Guide to Plants & Flowers, Readers' Digest, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 1997
  2. ^ Flora, The Gardeners Bible, ABC Publishing, Ultimo, NSW, Australia, 2005