Chasmanthe sp.

Mary Sue Ittner msittner@mcn.org
Tue, 28 May 2013 09:20:11 PDT
Hi Gastil,

Since I know you are careful to look at the seeds and photograph 
them, perhaps this key will help you sort out what you have. The 
seeds of all three are orange. Both Chasmanthe aethiopica and C. 
bicolor have the reputation of being weedy/legacy plants depending on 
how you look at it.

 From Crocosmia and Chasmanthe by Goldblatt, Manning, Dunlop

Key:
Stem curved at the base of the inclined to horizontal spike and 
flowers carried on the upper side of the axis, usually in one rank; 
slender part of the perianth tube spirally twisted; seeds fleshy when 
first exposed, later becoming dry and wrinkled, the inside of the 
capsule reddish to purple = Chasmanthe aethiopica

versus
Stem and spike erect, often branched and flowers carried in two 
ranks; slender part of the perianth tube not spirally twisted; seeds 
dry, shiny, with a hard seed coat, the inside of the capsule straw-colored

If the latter, either:
Tepals orange to scarlet, the lower more or less spreading, except 
the lower median; capsule warty and with a nipple-like apex; the 
upper tepal arising 1/8-1/4 inch (3-7 mm) beyond the lower tepals = 
Chasmanthe floribunda

Upper and lower medial tepals orange to scarlet but the lower 
laterals green, all directed forward; capsule smooth, rounded at the 
apex; all the tepals arising at about the same level = Chasmanthe bicolor

Mary Sue




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