I have grown this too for several years now from seed in the Archibalds' list; the flower are fugacious ( here today, gone tomorrow} but the colour is striking. Have only succeeded potted in a light sandy loam mix and kept frost free where it has increased slowly but steadily.I suppose the root could described as a hairy rhizome. It is, in fact, now just beginning to leaf up and so far has always flowered in March. On two occasions I have persuaded it to set seed which has been passed around and germinated OK but the yield is very low, just one or two shiny black round seeds each year. Have never tried it outside but if it continues to multiply will do so in the future Last time I looked it was a monotypic genus but there has been so much shuffling of late Peter.Maynard @btinternet.com S.E. England Zone 8 Coastal Plainnatales grate numeras