Bulbous and Tuberous Rooted Plants
A division of the Camden Park catalogues that is not clearly defined. Some of the more important families of the Hortus are included here, Amaryllidaceae, Iridaceae and Liliaceae. It also contains a wide assortment of other plants with a modified stem or root that acts as a storage organ. Such plants are usually deciduous and have a distinct dormancy period. Shrubs and trees are not included, but there is some overlap with herbaceous plants.
Amaryllis belladonna L.
A frost-hardy, deciduous, bulbous perennial, the leaves evenly spreading or sub-erect, in a basal cluster, usually narrowly strap-shaped, sometimes broader, tapering towards the end, with a prominent midrib. Inflorescence a spreading, somewhat one-sided, umbel on an erect scape, appearing before the leaves, the flowers trumpet-shaped, the pedicels shorter than the perianth, elongating when fruiting. Stout purple or purple-green spathes, often exceeding 60cm tall, bear umbels of 6 or more funnel-shaped, scented flowers in autumn. It is a highly variable species in the wild, in width and length of leaves, in circumference, colour and height of scape, but particularly in flower colour, which, although usually pink, ranges from white to almost red. There are several named garden forms. [RHSE, Hortus, Baker Am.].
Amaryllis belladonna L. var. blanda
See Amaryllis belladonna L. Blanda has delicate white blooms, changing to pink with age. It usually has more flowers per stem than the type, larger, more fragrant, opening wider with a more distinct tube and tending to be held more horizontally. [Herbert, Baker Am., PFG pl.68/1853].
Anemone hortensis L.
The type species is a low-growing, rhizomatous perennial with solitary mauve-pink flowers held above the finely-dissected leaves in spring. To 30cm. [RHSD, Hortus].
Antholyza flava Hort.
I can find no record of a plant named Antholyza flava. The most likely possibility is a form of Chasmanthe aethiopica (L.) N.E.Br., which see, perhaps var. minor, which has a perianth tube red at the top, bright yellow downwards. [Baker Ir., BR f.1159/1829]. That is the plant figured here. Likewise Chasmanthe floribunda (Salisb.) N.E.Br. var. Duckitii, with clear yellow flowers, should be considered.
Aristea capitata (L.) Ker-Gawl.
A half-hardy, clump-forming, evergreen perennial with lance-shaped leaves and dense spikes of saucer-shaped blue or purple flowers in summer. To 1.5m. [RHSE, CECB, Hortus].
Aristea minor Hort.
I can find no record of Aristea minor in the botanical literature. It is probably a form of Aristea capitata (L.) Ker-Gawl. which see, possibly a smaller form. The only reference to this name I can find is in a list of plants suitable for landscaping, included in a Zambian web site but with no further information.
Arthropodium cirrhatum R.Br.
Frost-hardy, tufted, rhizomatous, evergreen perennial with lance-shaped leaves and nodding, star-shaped white flowers, flecked purple and yellow, in lax panicles, in early summer. To 90cm. [RHSE, Hortus].
Asphodeline lutea Rchb.
Hardy herbaceous plant, the leaves numerous, tufted at the base, the flowers yellow, fragrant, in a dense, long, leafy but un-branched raceme. [RHSD, Hortus].
Asphodelus aestivus Brot.
Stout, erect stem to 90cm, the leaves flat, broad, linear to linear-lanceolate, to 3cm wide, leathery, thick, long, pointed, the flowers white with a reddish middle stripe in densely-flowered panicles, the branches to 30cm long, in spring. [RHSD, Hortus].
Babiana disticha Ker-Gawl.
Leaves lance-shaped, hairy, flowers pale yellow or shades of blue marked with yellow, fragrant. To 20cm. [RHSD, Hortus, CECB].
Babiana hirsuta (Lam.) Goldblatt & J.C.Manning
One of the taller growing species with lance-shaped, stiff, pleated, finely velvety leaves and bright red flowers, the upper tepal clawed. To 70cm. [CECB].
Babiana ringens (L.) Ker-Gawl.
Cormous perennial with lance-shaped leaves, to 4cm long, and somewhat tubular scarlet-purple-flowers, to 4cm long, in early summer, the main flower spike sterile and most flowers borne on side branches near to the ground. To 40cm. [RHSD, CECB].
Babiana rubro-cyanea (Jacq.) Ker-Gawl.
Frost-tender cormous perennial with hairy leaves and spikes of variously coloured flowers, but typically mauve with bright red centres, in spring. To 20cm. [RHSE, Hortus, CECB]. Considered by some authors to be a form of Babiana stricta (Ait.) Ker-Gawl., which see.
Babiana stricta (Ait.) Ker-Gawl.
A similar plant to Babiana disticha Ker-Gawl., which see, with purple, blue, white or yellow unscented flowers or violet scented flowers. To 20cm. [CECB].
