Cyrtanthus Mackenii - Indigenous South African Bulb - 5 Seeds

Cyrtanthus is a genus of perennial, herbaceous and bulbous plants in the Amaryllis family. This highly ornamental genus encompasses about 60 species. It is endemic in the southern and eastern parts of Africa and is represented in all nine provinces of South Africa, with the highest concentration of species occurring in the southern parts of Eastern Cape. The name Cyrtanthus refers to the curved perianth tube of many of the species and is derived from the Greek kyrtos meaning curved and anthos meaning flower. This genus is highly valued horticulturally. Species differ greatly in the colour, size, shape and position of the flowers.

Cyrtanthus mackenii is an Eastern Cape species with evergreen and deciduous forms. The evergreen form grows in stream beds in riverine forest patches near the south east coast of South Africa, always in shade. Often if grows between rocks in the streams beds with the bulbs submerged in water or on the edges of pools. Wild populations usually only flower in July and August (late winter).

USDA Zone - 7

Season to Sow - Sow Immediately