Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Bulbs => Bulbs General => Topic started by: Rogan on December 04, 2008, 08:06:52 AM

Title: A Crocus it is not...
Post by: Rogan on December 04, 2008, 08:06:52 AM
This little crocus-like plant, a Hesperantha species (H. baurii or H. schelpeana?), covers the stony ground like confetti at high altitude (above 3000 metres) in Lesotho.

At first sight it resembles Rhodohypoxis baurii var. confecta which also occurs in these areas, but on closer inspection reveals its true identity.

Lesotho is experiencing somewhat of a drought at the moment so I was amazed to see these flowers in such abundance.
Title: Re: A Crocus it is not...
Post by: Paul T on December 04, 2008, 09:03:46 AM
Rogan,

Is that really a Hesperantha?  Wow!!!!!  :o  Never seen one like it before.  Looks great.
Title: Re: A Crocus it is not...
Post by: David Nicholson on December 04, 2008, 09:25:24 AM
Very nice. I have some one year old seedlings of Hesperantha baurii looks as though they are going to be well worth the wait.
Title: Re: A Crocus it is not...
Post by: Carlo on December 04, 2008, 11:29:30 AM
Very sweet. I have a special fondness for plants that flower like this...just emerging from the ground before any leaf. What a life they have...
Title: Re: A Crocus it is not...
Post by: Armin on December 04, 2008, 04:28:03 PM
Interesting - the anthers like a crocus - but style is missing (not visible) ;)
Title: Re: A Crocus it is not...
Post by: tonyg on December 04, 2008, 04:38:52 PM
A beauty it is! 
Have you more pictures Rogan?  I can imagine it in abundance but some pics would enhance the experience :)
Thanks for posting
Title: Re: A Crocus it is not...
Post by: Lesley Cox on December 04, 2008, 07:38:16 PM
A real little honey. More pics please Rogan. :)
Title: Re: A Crocus it is not...
Post by: Gerdk on December 05, 2008, 06:39:26 AM
This beautiful plant is a little bit similar to that what a friend found near the coast of Mallorca. He told me there are lots of crocus.
I had a phonecall with Thomas and he replied that it was impossible to find autumn flowering crocus at lower altitudes.
When my friend told me that his 'crocus' was pinkish I got it.
It was Colchicum filifolium (Merendera filifolia)!

Gerd
Title: Re: A Crocus it is not...
Post by: Thomas Huber on December 05, 2008, 08:11:46 AM
This beautiful plant is a little bit similar to that what a friend found near the coast of Mallorca. He told me there are lots of crocus.
I had a phonecall with Thomas and he replied that it was impossible to find autumn flowering crocus at lower altitudes.
When my friend told me that his 'crocus' was pinkish I got it.
It was Colchicum filifolium (Merendera filifolia)!
Gerd

Gerd, it is NOT impossible to find flowering Crocus at lower altitudes on Mallorca.
I found many on rocky limestone formations in 50m height, but they don't grow in sandy soil near the coast.
Title: Re: A Crocus it is not...
Post by: Hans A. on December 05, 2008, 08:21:54 AM
 ;D ;D ;D -Thomas,  I was a bit surprised to read you might have told this.... ;) 8)
Title: Re: A Crocus it is not...
Post by: mark smyth on December 05, 2008, 09:15:29 AM
Is Hesperanthe in the same family as Crocus?
Title: Re: A Crocus it is not...
Post by: Gerdk on December 05, 2008, 09:29:18 AM
Sorry Thomas, maybe it was because of the pic showing you in dizzy height  ;D

Mark, like Crocus Hesperantha is Iridaceea.

Gerd
Title: Re: A Crocus it is not...
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 05, 2008, 09:39:08 AM
Definitely one for the wants list.
Title: Re: A Crocus it is not...
Post by: David Nicholson on December 05, 2008, 09:42:53 AM
Definitely one for the wants list.

Anthony, if you can wait a couple of years I'll send you some small bulbs (corms).  ;D
Title: Re: A Crocus it is not...
Post by: Boyed on December 05, 2008, 11:33:09 AM
Rogan,

very interesting plant: something intermediate between crocus and colchicum. Thanks por posting.
Title: Re: A Crocus it is not...
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 05, 2008, 09:17:54 PM
Thanks David. It looks a little gem. :)
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