Mystery bulb - Ismene x Festalis?
Paul Tyerman (Fri, 17 Jun 2005 14:52:13 PDT)

At 02:56 18/06/05, you wrote:

John et al,

This sounds like Ismene x Festalis (Not Hymenocallis, although for some
reason in the US in particular Ismene are called Hymenocallis all the
time?). Ismene and Hymenocallis are not the same thing despite this cross
usage of the name. My understanding is that the difference between Ismene
and Hymenocallis is the fact that Ismene have the leaves bound together at
the base by a sheath, whereas the Hymenocallis have their leaves free
immediately they exit the ground.

If memory serves me it was Alberto Castillo who gave this wonderfully clear
differentiation about a year or so ago, but I am not sure which list it was
on. I think from memory I kept the email (as I found it so useful to clear
up the whole Ismene / Hymenocallis thing) so I can try to dig it up for you
if you would like?

I would definitely say that the mystery bulb sounds 100% like Ismene x
Festalis as it matches perfectly what we have under that name here in
Australia and they are distinctly different from any of the Hymenocallis
that I grow.

Cheers.

Paul Tyerman
Canberra, Australia. USDA equivalent - Zone 8/9

Growing.... Galanthus, Erythroniums, Fritillarias, Trilliums, Cyclamen,
Crocus, Cyrtanthus, Oxalis, Liliums, Hellebores, Aroids, Irises plus just
about anything else that doesn't move!!!!!