Practical
Plants

Crinum bulbispermum

a member of the Crinum genus in the family Amaryllidaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Crinum
Height
1 m
Spread
0.6 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

One report says that the plant is toxic to mammals, but gives no indication as to the degree of toxicity.

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Root?? A number of species in this genus have edible bulbs. Although no records have been seen for this species, it is fairly hardy in Britain and the root can be as large as a football. It is worthy of investigation[K].

Plant part
Root

Environment

Range
S. Africa - S. Transvaal and N. Natal.
Habitat
Seasonal pools, marshes and the banks of rivers[5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe, placing 2 - 3 seeds in individual pots in a greenhouse. Do not cover the seed. Sow stored seed April/May in a warm greenhouse. Once they have germinated, you can thin each pot to just one plant if required, though we have not found this to be necessary. Give an occasional liquid feed to ensure that the plants do not suffer nutritional deficiencies. Grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first 2 years, planting them out into their permanent positions in the spring. Division of offsets in April/May or in September. When divided in the spring, the bulbs can be planted out direct into their permanent positions, if done in September, however, they should be potted up and overwintered in the greenhouse.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Easily grown in a moist soil or the garden border[5]. Requires a rich well-drained soil in a warm sheltered sunny position[2]. Plants are only hardy in the milder areas of the country, tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c[5]. It is probable that the plants may require winter protection with dry leaves or bracken[5]. Bulbs are sensitive to transplanting and may take several years to establish. The bulbs should be planted with their necks above soil level[3]. This conflicts with another report which says that they should be planted quite deeply in the soil[1]. Only plant out good sized bulbs and do so at the end of May[1]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[3]. The flowers emit a sweet, somewhat spicy odour which is especially pronounced at nightfall[4].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

  3. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩1↩2

  4. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  5. Phillips. R. and Rix. M. Bulbs Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30253-1

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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