Cybistetes longifolia (L.) Milne-Redh. & Schweik.

Horticultural & Botanical History

Often placed in Ammocharis as Ammocharis longifolia but I have followed The Colour Encyclopedia of Cape Bulbs in placing it in Cybistetes. First botanically described as Amaryllis longifolia by Linnaeus in 1753 [Sp. Pl. p.293/1753]. Placed in Ammocharis as Ammocharis longifolia by William Herbert in 1821 [Herbert’s Appendix p.17/1821] and in Cybistetes by Milne-Redhead and Schweickerdt in 1939 [J. Linn. Soc. Bot. vol.52, p.192/1939].

‘This is a magnificent bulbous plant, a native of the Cape; it flowered with us in the month of September, the flower stem being about nine inches in height.  The blossoms are delicately fragrant.  The bulb is very large.  The best means of preserving it is in the greenhouse through the year, observing to give little or no water when the leaves decay.’  [LBC no.745/1823]. 

Johnson’s Dictionary stated that Brunsvigia falcata was introduced to Britain in 1774, although Curtis’s Botanical Magazine gave an earlier date: ‘Cultivated  in 1752, by P. Miller.  Blooms about August, diffusing a fragrance which appeared to us to resemble that of the “Lily of the Valley”.’  [BM t.1443/1812].

History at Camden Park

Listed in all published catalogues [B.33/1843].  Received per ‘Sovereign’ February 1831.  [MP A2948].

Notes

There is some confusion with synonymy in the literature, for example Crinum longifolium Thunb. has been ascribed to both Crinum capense Herb. and Cybistetes longifolia (L.) Milne-Redh. & Schweik. 

It has been suggested that Cybistetes longifolia may be a parent of the multiflora Amaryllis hybrids. See x Amarygia parkeri 'Blando-Josephiniana' and x Amarygia parkeri ‘Ameliae’ for a discussion.