Dear PBS; Been a bit distracted to reply. just some thoughts. Geophytes are plants that grow in the earth- most herbaceous perennials, tree, shrubs etc. You are beating the wrong drum asking about the topic on this list. Seems we are more interested in plants that have enlarged storage organs and it doesn't much matter where they grow. In the soil (geophytes,) on rock (lithophytes), in trees (including Clivia), etc. The common condition is that they all have a storage organ (mostly water storage) and mostly for survival in times of stress. These may be modified stems (bulbs, etc.)(including rhizomes as modified stems), roots (potatoes etc.) and more. ome names include tuber, bulbs, rhizome, corm etc. Let's just call them 'bulbs' for convenience and not argue. Lewisia- Another plant that has foiled me for a long time. 2 years ago I planted 'Little Plum' in a raised bed constructed out of 2 x 10 lumber about 3 ft deep and containing nothing but sand from the Missouri River. It is in full sun. The lewisia came through two winters and bloomed and multiplied. The first ever to do this here. Last spring I planted 4 others in the same bed-all large flowering hybrids and they grew well all summer (worst drought here in years) and are now encased in 1/2 inch of ice. Except for a bit of leaf burn, they look great. I'll report on survival when they defrost and try some species this year. Good drainage and full sun seem a winning combination. Best Jim W. -- Dr. James W. Waddick 8871 NW Brostrom Rd. Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711 USA Ph. 816-746-1949 E-fax 419-781-8594 Zone 5 Record low -23F Summer 100F +