Nerine masoniorum
John Grimshaw (Thu, 26 Aug 2010 05:59:42 PDT)

The name Nerine masoniorum (the officially accepted spelling) commemorates
both Marianne Harriet Mason (1845-1932) and her brother Canon Edward Mason,
hence the genitive plural form. He was Principal of St Bede's Native College
at Umtata, formerly in the Transkei (now Mthatha, Eastern Cape). The plant
grows/grew in this area.

According to Gunn & Codd's 'Botanical Exploration of Southern Africa'
(1981), Marianne 'made leisurely journeys by cart and horses to
out-of-the-way places' [in eastern South Africa] collecting seeds and bulbs
and painting plants.

Crocosmia masoniorum also commemorate the pair, while Watsonia masoniae
honours just Marianne.

John Grimshaw

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Dr. John M. Grimshaw
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Russell Stafford, wrote: