Hymenocallis (Ismene) narcissiflora 'Sulphur Queen'

[Peter II]

It blooms for the first time with me.

[David Nicholson]

.... and very nice it is too.

[PeterT]

.... and very nice it is too.

And healthy too, looks lovely.

[jshields]

N.B. --  The correct name is Ismene (note spelling).  Recent revisions based on DNA studies justify again recognizing it as a distinct genus, alongside Leptochiton and Hymenocallis.

Jim

[Peter II]

Hallo Jim,

I changed the spelling errors in the subject.
And what has taxa is Hymenocallis festalis?

[Ezeiza]

It should be Ismene 'Sulphur Queen'. 'Festalis' is another hybrid.

What a good plant. It seems to be 95 % narcissiflora and 5 % amancaes.

[jshields]

I think the preferred genus name for 'Festalis', amancaes, narcissiflora, longipetala, hawkesii, etc., is now Ismene rather than Hymenocallis.  This comes from the DNA work that has been done the past 10 years or so.  In the Hymenocallid tribe are now three genera:  Hymenocallis, Ismene, and Leptochiton.

'Sulphur Queen' is supposed to be [narcissiflora x amancaes], as I think were the other hybrids 'Pax', 'Helios', and 'Icon'.  I had all of these hybrids thirty years ago, the latter three coming from Sam Caldwell.  I wish I had them back again!  None of them is really as yellow as amancaes, but it seemed to me (at least in memory) that 'Helios' was almost as yellow as amancaes.  All were much easier to grow and to bring to flower than amancaes is.

Jim

[Ezeiza]

Jim, amancaes is extremely difficult to maintain alive away from its desert habitat.

I have another hybrid, 'Bucaneer' but it has emerged as a single bulb for over 15 years. It is white flowered and really stunning.

[Peter II]

Danke Jim.

[jshields]

Jim, amancaes is extremely difficult to maintain alive away from its desert habitat.

I have another hybrid, 'Bucaneer' but it has emerged as a single bulb for over 15 years. It is white flowered and really stunning.

Show us a picture of 'Bucaneer' sometime, please!

I think I still have one very small seedling bulb of amancaes, but it does not get any bigger. It is far too small to bloom.  It has green leaves for a few weeks in autumn, if that.

Jim

[Ezeiza]

It grows for three months in late winter/early spring. The rest of the year it is dormant. Amancaes, that is.

As for 'Bucaneer' it is obviously an Ismene and came from Thad Howard many years ago. I will take a photo for you when it flowers in summer.

[ThomasB]

I happened to find a picture of 'Buccaneer' within a book online. Poor quality though so we're still looking forward to see Ezeiza's pic. 

[Maggi Young]

A link well found, Thomas. 
It also confirms for me that the correct spelling of the plant is Buccaneer with two "c"s... which is what I'd expect it to be. I note is is listed in that way, with parents stated  H. liriosme x H. calathina. 

[Ezeiza]

Yes, the label reads 'Buccaneer' but there is no yellow in the throat as could be expected in a hybrid from two white species. It is surprising that a Hymenocallis can take pollen of an Ismene. 'Buccaneer' looks like a larger two flowered form of 'Festalis' and an Ismene in all its basic features. Doesn't look like HYMENOCALLIS liriosme at all.

[JoshY46013]

Alberto,

  You don't think it likes like Hymenocallis at all?  I think it shares some characters from H. lirisome, the cup is a lot more shallow than most Ismene hybrids and the Ismene species in my opinion.