Rhodohypoxis

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Rhodohypoxis
Rhodohypoxis baurii in cultivation
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Hypoxidaceae
Genus: Rhodohypoxis
Nel[1]
Species

See text.

Rhodohypoxis is a small genus of tuberous flowering plants in the family Hypoxidaceae, native to southern Africa (South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland).[1] The small flowers, no more than 15 cm (6 in) high, are constructed so that their centres are not visible. Some species are in cultivation.

Description and distribution

Rhodohypoxis species grow from small tubers. They flower in the summer and die down in the winter. When in flower, they are typically 2–15 cm (0.8–5.9 in) tall. The flowers are white, pink or red; the bases of the tepals bend inwards, so that the stamens and ovary are not visible. Rhodohypoxis species are found in the eastern part of southern Africa, particularly in the Drakensberg mountains in the province of Natal, South Africa and Lesotho. This is a region of summer rainfall with relatively dry winters.[2]

Taxonomy

As of July 2013, the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families accepted 11 species:[3]

  • Rhodohypoxis baurii (Baker) Nel
  • Rhodohypoxis deflexa Hilliard & B.L.Burtt
  • Rhodohypoxis incompta Hilliard & B.L.Burtt
  • Rhodohypoxis milloides (Baker) Hilliard & B.L.Burtt
  • Rhodohypoxis rubella (Baker) Nel
  • Rhodohypoxis thodiana (Nel) Hilliard & B.L.Burtt

Cultivation

R. baurii is not uncommon in cultivation. It is not reliably frost hardy, so is often grown in pots, protected in the winter. Various colour forms are available under cultivar names, e.g. 'Ruth' (pure white), 'Allbrighton' (pink) and 'Douglas' (red). Some other species, such as R. milloides, and hybrids with Hypoxis species are also grown.[2]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Rhodohypoxis", World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, retrieved 2013-07-30 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Mathew, Brian (1987), The Smaller Bulbs, London: B.T. Batsford, ISBN 978-0-7134-4922-8 , pp. 145–146
  3. ↑ Search for "Rhodohypoxis", World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, retrieved 2013-07-30 
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