Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Bulbs => Bulbs General => Topic started by: FrazerHenderson on March 24, 2008, 06:33:18 PM

Title: Yellow flowering bulb
Post by: FrazerHenderson on March 24, 2008, 06:33:18 PM

Can anyone help a novice on bulbs?

Saw these at over 3000m in the Haraz Mountains in Yemen (for which a decent accessible flora guide in English and Arabic needs to be written - any volunteers?!)

Only found in rocky areas beyond the reaches of goats!

Thanks in advance for assistance

Title: Re: Yellow flowering bulb
Post by: Lesley Cox on March 26, 2008, 08:26:44 PM

Haven't a clue. Some sort of Asphodel perhaps?

Title: Re: Yellow flowering bulb
Post by: Paul T on March 26, 2008, 09:55:20 PM

I didn't want to make a stupid comment in my ignorance of what grows where, but I must admit that Asphodelus (or is it Asphodeline?) or similar was what sprung to mind immediately when I saw the pics too.  I really don't know what comes from where, so I thought it was better not to mention it unless someone else did.  ::)

Title: Re: Yellow flowering bulb
Post by: Lvandelft on March 26, 2008, 10:13:14 PM

Quote from: FrazerHenderson on March 24, 2008, 06:33:18 PM

Can anyone help a novice on bulbs?
Saw these at over 3000m in the Haraz Mountains in Yemen (for which a decent accessible flora guide in English and Arabic needs to be written - any volunteers?!)
Only found in rocky areas beyond the reaches of goats!

Thanks in advance for assistance

Frazer, looking at these flowers, I am pretty sure this is no bulb.
The flowerheads are ending in the same manner as Kniphofia so far I can see.
There occurs one Kniphofia species in Yemen: Kniphofia sumarae , but I have never seen a picture of it.

Title: Re: Yellow flowering bulb
Post by: Ezeiza on March 26, 2008, 10:21:04 PM

Looks like the transition between Albuca and Ornithogalum.

The first image shows foliage of Albuca-likes.

Title: Re: Yellow flowering bulb
Post by: Lvandelft on March 26, 2008, 10:48:27 PM

Here is a small picture to show what I mean:

Title: Re: Yellow flowering bulb
Post by: Lesley Cox on March 27, 2008, 04:28:25 AM

Quote from: tyerman on March 26, 2008, 09:55:20 PM

I didn't want to make a stupid comment in my ignorance .  ::)

But you're quite happy for me to look stupid Paul? Where's your galantry?

Title: Re: Yellow flowering bulb
Post by: Paul T on March 27, 2008, 06:18:18 AM

Lesley,

Yes, but your comment wouldn't be stupid through ignorance..... yours would be a far more educated guess than mine..... I'd trust your guesses WAY more than mine.  My Galantry is perfectly intact.  ;D

Title: Re: Yellow flowering bulb
Post by: Lesley Cox on March 27, 2008, 08:13:08 AM

Well, I'm greatly relieved to hear that Paul. :)

Title: Re: Yellow flowering bulb
Post by: Gerdk on March 27, 2008, 11:16:14 AM

Frazer, looking at these flowers, I am pretty sure this is no bulb.
The flowerheads are ending in the same manner as Kniphofia so far I can see.
There occurs one Kniphofia species in Yemen: Kniphofia sumarae , but I have never seen a picture of it.
[/quote]

Yes, I thought of Kniphofia too but didn't dare to mention it.
Kniphofia sumarae is mentioned as a part of the living collection of
RBGE.

GErd

Title: Re: Yellow flowering bulb
Post by: FrazerHenderson on March 27, 2008, 04:57:47 PM

Luit and Gerd

thanks for help. I assumed it was a bulbous plant simply because I didn't realise kniphofia existed in the Arabian peninsula - have since done internet search and though no pictures (in situ) located it does seem from the literature reviews that it is Kniophofia sumarae.  Thanks again. Another plant species for me to notch up for Yemen! I'll see if I can hunt it down within the RBGE living collection.

I'll also see if I can get seed when I return in June.

Frazer