January 2017 in the Southern Hemisphere

[Parsla]

Hi Lesley,

Thank you that was very helpful - i hadn't realised the arisaema was so variable - I was very pleased to see the leaves looking so healthy.

Fermi this may be a question for you and your south african bulb expertise.
The 4 photos are of a large unidentified critter I dug up from a friend's property in mid October. Couldn't resist. Photos show the bulb, leaves, and then two taken today of a lone flower bud spike. It is planted at home now but no idea what it is. The spike looks a bit Kniphofia-like but I had thought those flowered along with the leaves.

I know I should wait for the flower to open but all the same would appreciate some informed advice.

Many thanks, Jacqui.

[ArnoldT]

Jacqui:

Kniphofia's that I have grow and observed usually send up a flower spike with leaves in the green.

[Jupiter]

Jacqui, Veltheimia bracteata ? Fermi will know, I'm only guessing.

[Parsla]

Hi Jamus,

I think you might be right. The leaves look close - guess it depends if they come up with the flower.  Anyhow thank you - that is something I hadn't heard of.

Let's see if fermi agrees.

Jacqui.

[fermi de Sousa]

Hi Jacqui,
It seems a bit early for Drimia (Urginea) maritima but the foliage looks right and so does the flower-spike.
If the flowers open as little white stars that'll be the decider
It's a Mediterranean bulb,
cheers
fermi

[Matt T]

Hi Jacqui,
It seems a bit early for Drimia (Urginea) maritima but the foliage looks right and so does the flower-spike.
If the flowers open as little white stars that'll be the decider
It's a Mediterranean bulb,
cheers
fermi

I'd second Drimia maritima.

[Parsla]

Thank you kindly Arnold, Jamus, Fermi and Matt.
Yes it does look quite like the Drimia.
It's  quite fun to have a mystery bulb.
Isn't the only one either
Can't wait to see the bud open

Jacqui.

[Jupiter]

I don't grow either, although Trevor Nottle is always trying to palm off his unwanted Drimia to me... I politely decline every time.  

[Jupiter]

Lesley, sorry I missed your question about the Kunzea. There is a lot of variation between plants even in the same patch. Some berries are purplish red, some stay green like these. Interestingly I've found the green ones often have the best flavour, although not always. The taste is very like apple, but a bit more resinous and astringent. The ones in the picture are not quite ripe but not far from it. I agree not very visually appealing but I can honestly say they are the most worthwhile of all the "bush tucker" plants here.

[Anthony Darby]

Reminds me of Merwilla plumbea.

[Lesley Cox]

On Facebook this morning there was notice by someone (can't remember his name) and a picture of beautiful bright blue seeds or capsules, that he was going to produce a book of edible plants. I gathered there would be all kinds of unusual and unexpected things. I wonder has he caught up with the Kunzea?

[Maggi Young]

Anyone writing a book on edible plants will have to work hard to beat our own Stephen Barstow, who has  already written a superb book ...." Around The World in 80 Plants: An Edible Perennial Vegetable Adventure For Temperate Climates"

 read about it here : http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=248.msg322403#msg322403

[Parsla]

Reminds me of Merwilla plumbea.

Hi Anthony,
Yes that would be pretty. I can see the similarity there as well.
A bit of garden intrigue
 
Jacqui.

[fermi de Sousa]

Rather a thrill this morning to find first bloom (well, second -  it appears i missed the first) of Geranium sinensis from Bjornar's seed. It proved worthy of the long wait.

While only one plant survived my inexpert ministrations, its a very healthy specimen ready to be planted out in autumn.

Teardrops of pitch that are blacker than any G. phaem I have seen and has occasional claret splashes on the foliage.

Jacqui,
That geranium is a delight!
We are enjoying a quiet respite from the heat with a few mm of rain falling during the day.
1) Gloriosa superba is in flower;
2) Allium carinatum ssp. pulchellum f. album;
3) White Delosperma in rock pocket;
cheers
fermi

[Maggi Young]

The SRGC President is in New Zealand - Dave Toole ( t00lie)  shared this post  on Facebook

" Managed to get out in the field today with SRGC president David Rankin and his wife Stella.Bitterly cold winds earlier on with the weather warming up after lunch.Shared a few laughs and saw some yummy plants especially cushions."