Hirsute Haemanthus coccineus leaves
J.E. Shields (Sun, 18 Nov 2007 05:03:35 PST)

Jacob, Dylan, and all,

Haemanthus coccineus seems to be a rather variable species. I've never
seen the coccineus form the Eastern Cape, but I have four different types,
from Bainskloof, Gifberg, Richterveld, and near Bredasdorp in the Western
Cape and Northern Cape provinces. Leaf shapes differ from almost round to
longer and narrower.

I say the mottled/speckled leaf form of coccineus in the Little Karoo
Botanical Garden at Wochester. Unfortunately, I could not talk Ian out of
an offset!

The plants I saw on a farm between Vanrhynsdorp and Nieuwoudtville, high in
the Western Escarpment, and huge leaves, almost round -- not like the
Gifberg plants, although the Gifberg is visible to the west from there.

Regards,
Jim Shields

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Jim Shields USDA Zone 5 Shields Gardens, Ltd.
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