Hymenocallis (Ismene) narcissiflora 'Sulphur Queen'

[jshields]

One would expect that a primary hybrid between two species would look like a 50-50% compromise between the two parents.  Even a bigeneric hybrid, which we would now consider a cross between liriosme and narcissiflora/calathina to be, should look like an "average."  I have never seen one of these hybrids, but I would very much like to!

Here is a case where weighing the nuclear DNA using flow cytometry might tell us if this is a true bigeneric hybrid.  Sending small offsets of liriosme, of narcissiflora, and of 'Buccaneer' to an appropriate lab would be the way to go.  Ben Vonneveld in the Netherlands has done this in the past.

Jim

[Maggi Young]

That would be Ben Zonneveld, Jim 

[jshields]

That would be Ben Zonneveld, Jim 

Yes it certainly would!  How old did you say I was?

Jim

[Maggi Young]

'bout thirty, Jim, just a year or two older than me 

[Ezeiza]

If the foliage is of Ismene, the flower is of Ismene and the habit is of Ismene,......................,then???

Strange that in so many years, only one offset was produced.

[jshields]

If the foliage is of Ismene, the flower is of Ismene and the habit is of Ismene,......................,then???

Strange that in so many years, only one offset was produced.

Alberto, I agree if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck...., maybe it is a duck?  But any Ismene I've ever grown -- except maybe amancaes -- has always made offsets.  I do think we (lots of us!) should try to cross Hymenocallis liriosme or occidentalis or any other available with as many Ismene species as we can.  And then enlist the aid of my friend Ben to see what the results really are.  Growers of Amaryllidaceae have for years dreamed of intergeneric hybrids that did not happen.

I grow Hymenocallis liriosme and H. occidentalis, although the latter does not bloom every year.  I would need to get bulbs of fertile strains of the species, especially of narcissiflora.  I will provide pollen next year, starting in about June, for my Hymenocallis to anyone who can use it.

Ben needs only a fresh piece of one leaf to do his tests, but the tissue has to be alive when he gets it for the tests to work.  If you have offsets, it's easier to get the tissue to him alive and healthy if you send an offset.

Jim

[Ezeiza]

I can gladly send Ben a leaf but the only offset I would like it to end in the hands of a grower and not being tossed away after tests are finished