Resnova is a genus of the family Hyacinthaceae, and in the broader Asparagaceae. The flowers are indistinct and the plants are grown mostly for their leaves, which are often spotted. A taxonomic revision, A Revised Generic Synopsis of Hyacinthaceae in Sub-Saharan Africa, Based on Molecular Evidence, including New Combinations and the New Tribe Pseudoprospereae, J. C. Manning, P. Goldblatt, and M. F. Fay (2004), placed this genus into Ledebouria. However, the revision did not include all members of the genus. In 2021 Plants of the World Online lists five accepted species.
This genus can be propagated by leaf cuttings.
Resnova humifusa (Baker) U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies, syn. Drimiopsis maxima Baker, syn. Scilla schlechteri Baker, is found in grassland among rocks in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. It grows to 40 cm and has leaves that narrow gradually to the base and greyish flowers striped pink, white, green or brown. Tepals are erect to spreading. This is a good garden and container plant for shade. These plants were in bloom August 2003 from a September 2001 sowing of seeds that were labeled Drimiopsis maculata but are now identified as this species instead. As is true with a lot of bulbs whose leaves in later seasons are more colorful than the earlier ones, the original leaves were not very spotted, but the second set appearing in March 2004 are. Photos by Mary Sue Ittner.
Resnova lachenalioides (Baker) van der Merwe has a native range from the Eastern Cape, to KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Resnova maxima van der Merwe, syn. Ledebouria maxima (van der Merwe) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt is an accepted name in The Plant List. A plant labeled with this name was being displayed in the bulb room at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in 2010. Photo by Mary Sue Ittner.
Resnova megaphylla Hankey ex J.M.H.Shaw is perhaps the most commonly grown species in the genus. It is found from Mpumalanga to Limpopo. It has large leaves which are well spotted. It is a summer grower and can be grown in a well drained mix. The plant breaks dormancy in spring and flowers right away. The leaves continue to grow throughout the summer. Photo 1 was taken by Nhu Nguyen of a specimen that does not have flowers which open broadly. Photos 2-6 was taken by Gottfried Milkuhn of a different form.
The photos below were taken by Gottfried Milkuhn of a form from Burgersfort, South Africa.
Photos by Rimmer de Vries of plants in cultivation. The large flowering bulbs came from a commercial source, the small ones are from seed, which takes around four years. Seed was collected at Tonteldoos (a village in Limpopo Province, South Africa). Plants need sun to make the leaves flat on the soil surface and are growing facing East.
Resnova pilosa van der Merwe, syn. Ledebouria pilosa (Van der Merwe) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt, is native from Mpumalanga to KwaZulu-Natal provinces of South Africa. The photos below were taken by Gottfried Milkuhn. Photos 5-6 shows the comparison of leaves and flowers between R. pilosa (left) and R. megaphylla (right).
Resnova sp. Klipwal, South Africa. Photos by Alessandro Marinello.
