Practical
Plants

Crocosmia aurea

Montbretia

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Iridaceae
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
1 m
Spread
0.5 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers and used as a saffron substitute for colouring foods[8][3][4].

Product or use
Colouring

Material uses

Product or use
Dye

Environment

Range
S. Africa.
Habitat
Shady forest areas in moist country, 2000 - 2500 metres from East Cape province and north to Mozambique, Malawi etc[9]. Especially common in conifer plantations[10].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold greenhouse[1]. The seed usually germinates in 3 - 9 weeks at 20 - 25°c[2]. Stored seed can be sown in early spring in a greenhouse[2]. Sow the seed thinly so that the plants can be grown on undisturbed in their pot for the first year, but give the seedlings an occasional liquid feed to ensure they do not become nutrient deficient. Once the plants are dormant in the autumn, pot up the bulbs putting 2 - 3 bulbs in each pot. Grow them on for another year or two in the greenhouse before planting them out when they are dormant in the autumn. Division in spring as new growth commences[5]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer or following spring.

Cultivation

A very easily grown plant, it succeeds in almost all soils other than very heavy clays or bogs[6], though it prefers a light rich sandy soil[1][9] in full sun or light dappled shade[5][6]. Another report says that it prefers a fairly shady position and plenty of moisture in the growing season[9]. The corms are hardy to about -10°c[5] but in cold areas it is wise to lift them when the plants die down in the autumn, store them in a cool frost-free place over the winter and plant them out in the spring[1]. Make sure the corms do not dry out[1]. It is best to avoid lifting the corms if at all possible since the new corms seem to derive some nutrition from the old corms that have flowered[5]. Plants can divide quite freely when growing in a suitable location[6]. Although the fresh flowers have no perfume, when dried and immersed in warm water they release a scent like that of the saffron crocus[7]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[6].

References

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  2. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  4. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

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  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩

  8. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  9. Innes. C. The World of Iridaceae

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

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